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 sit bottom of the Premier League after winning just one of their opening nine matches.
The Black Cats suffered another setback last weekend, losing 3-1 away to Coventry City, but their European form has provided some much-needed encouragement.
Sunderland have collected seven points from their opening three Europa League matches, beating AZ Alkmaar and Torreense before drawing 1-1 with Lech Poznan.
Those results have left them ninth in the league phase standings, just outside the automatic qualification places for the last 16.
Dinamo Zagreb, meanwhile, arrive on Wearside following a turbulent week that saw manager Mario Kovacevic dismissed after a surprise 1-0 defeat to Rudes in the Croatian league.
The visitors have taken four points from their opening three European matches, beating Anderlecht and drawing with Hapoel Be’er Sheva before suffering a 4-2 defeat to 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
Sunderland Substitutes: 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, Rodriguez, Zajc, Hoxha, Prevljak, Ivanusec, Vinlof, Almena, Mikic, Sunta
The stats for Sunderland v Dinamo Zagreb
- Sunderland are unbeaten in their opening three Europa League matches, winning two and drawing one.
- The Black Cats have collected seven points and sit ninth in the 36-team league phase standings.
- Sunderland have conceded just twice in their opening three European fixtures.
- Dinamo Zagreb have collected four points from three Europa League matches and sit 18th.
- Dinamo have won just one of their last eight European away matches, 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 versus Dinamo Zagreb kicks off at 8pm GMT on Thursday, November 5, at the Stadium of Light.
The match will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate, with coverage beginning at 7.45pm.
Supporters can also stream the game through HBO Max with a valid subscription.
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