Sunderland return to Europa League action this evening, hoping to put their Premier League struggles behind them against Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb.
Regis Le Bris’ side have endured a difficult start to the domestic campaign and have found themselves bottom of the game Premier League after winning just one of their first nine games.
The Black Cats suffered another setback last weekend, losing 3-1 at Coventry City, but their European form has provided a much-needed boost.
Sunderland have picked up seven points from their opening three Europa League games, beating AZ Alkmaar and Torreense before drawing 1-1 with Lech Poznan.
These results have left them ninth in the league stage standings, just outside the automatic qualification places for the last 16.
Dinamo Zagreb, meanwhile, arrive on Wearside after a turbulent week that saw manager Mario Kovacevic sacked following a shock 1-0 defeat to Rudes in the Croatian league.
The visitors have taken four points from their opening three European games, beating Anderlecht and drawing with Hapoel Be’er Sheva before suffering a 4-2 defeat at NEC Nijmegen.
101GreatGoals brings you all the team news ahead of the 8pm kick-off.
Sunderland team news
Sunderland: Roefs, Meunier, Danso, Alderete, Methalie, Ahoka, Angulo, Rigg, Fofana, Isidor
Subs for Sunderland: Moore, Talbi, Brobbey, O’Nien, Reinildo, Sadiki, Le Fee, Hume, Whittaker, Jones, Tutierov, Proctor.
Dinamo Zagreb team news
Dinamo Zagreb: Kotarski, Goda, Beljo, Stojkovic, Galesic, Lisica, Valincic, Misic, Dominguez, Kacavenda, Orsic
Dinamo Zagreb Substitutes: Zagorac, Filipovic, Radeljic, Rodríguez, Zajc, Hoxha, Prevljak, Ivanusec, Vinlof, Almena, Mikic, Sunta
Statistics of Sunderland – Dinamo Zagreb
- Sunderland are unbeaten in their first three Europa League games, with two wins and a draw.
- The Black Cats have collected seven points and are ninth in the 36-team league stage standings.
- Sunderland have conceded just twice in their first three European games.
- Dinamo Zagreb have collected four points from three Europa League games and are in 18th place.
- Dinamo have won just one of their last eight away games in Europe, drawing four and losing three.
- The Croatian side have won three and lost three of their previous six meetings with English opposition.
- This will be the first competitive meeting between Sunderland and Dinamo Zagreb.
Where to watch Sunderland v Dinamo Zagreb
Sunderland v Dinamo Zagreb kicks off at 20:00 GMT on Thursday 5 November at the Estadio de la Llum.
The match will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate, with coverage from 7.45pm.
Fans can also stream the game via HBO Max with a valid subscription.
