Sunderland finally stopped losing on Sunday. Now they need to remember how to win.

A goalless draw with Leeds United ended a four-match Premier League losing streak, but the Black Cats remain rooted to the bottom of the table. Five points from eight games isn’t the start Régis Le Bris had in mind, particularly after last season’s impressive return to the top flight.

Wednesday’s Carabao Cup meeting with Brentford offers a chance to forget about the league table for an evening.

Whether Sunderland can afford that luxury is another matter.

The Black Cats are already juggling Premier League football with Europa League commitments, and their injury list isn’t getting any shorter.

Brentford have considerably fewer concerns about their domestic position. Keith Andrews’ side sit sixth in the Premier League, having lost just once in their opening eight matches.

The Bees have also developed a habit of making progress in this competition, reaching at least the quarter-finals in four of the previous six seasons.

Sunderland have the home advantage, but Brentford arrive with better form, greater confidence and arguably more freedom to attack the competition.

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What are the best betting tips for Sunderland vs Brentford?

Brentford to qualify

Brentford have lost just once in their opening eight Premier League matches, and their performances suggest that record is no accident.

Andrews has built a side that is difficult to break down, comfortable playing without possession and capable of creating opportunities through quick transitions.

Their biggest problem has been turning draws into victories.

Five of Brentford’s eight league matches have finished level, including Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Hull City.

However, Sunderland have been considerably less convincing.

Le Bris’s side have won just one of their last six matches across all competitions, and Sunday’s goalless draw against Leeds offered little evidence that their attacking problems have been resolved.

There is also the question of squad depth.

Sunderland are competing on three fronts, with injuries and suspensions leaving Le Bris short of options in several positions.

Brentford have their own absentees, but Andrews should be able to rotate without completely dismantling his side.

The Bees have also lost just once in their last eight meetings with Sunderland across all competitions.

Backing Brentford to win inside 90 minutes carries obvious risks, particularly given their tendency to draw matches.

The qualification market looks more appealing, as it covers the possibility of Brentford progressing on penalties.

Both teams to score

Sunderland’s attacking struggles make this a slightly uncomfortable selection, but the numbers behind Brentford’s recent matches are difficult to ignore.

Both teams have scored in nine of the Bees’ last 10 fixtures.

That tells us plenty about their approach.

Brentford have enough attacking quality to trouble opponents, but they’re rarely convincing enough defensively to shut games down completely.

Even Sunday’s draw with Hull followed that familiar pattern, with Andrews’ side conceding before recovering to take a point.

Sunderland have been struggling for goals, although a cup fixture against a rotated defence could provide opportunities that haven’t been available in the Premier League.

Le Bris may give minutes to younger attacking players, with Eliezer Mayenda’s departure leaving Timur Tutierov among the options competing for opportunities.

Enzo Le Fée, Chris Rigg and Habib Diarra could also provide attacking support, depending on how heavily Sunderland rotate.

The Black Cats have home advantage and should approach the match with greater freedom than they’ve shown in recent league fixtures.

Brentford’s record suggests they’ll create chances of their own, particularly against a Sunderland defence missing several regulars.

It isn’t the safest market on the coupon, but it offers a more interesting angle than backing the visitors simply to score.

Callum Wilson anytime goalscorer

Callum Wilson has an opportunity to remind everyone what he can still offer.

The former Newcastle United striker scored against Reading in Brentford’s previous Carabao Cup fixture and could return to the starting lineup on Wednesday.

With Andrews expected to rotate, Wilson is among the players pushing for an opportunity in attack.

Sunderland’s defensive absences could make this an attractive matchup.

Dan Ballard remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Kevin Danso is suspended.

That leaves Le Bris with decisions to make at centre-back, particularly if he also decides to manage the minutes of players who featured against Leeds.

Wilson’s movement inside the penalty area has always been one of his biggest strengths.

He doesn’t need numerous touches to make an impact, and his ability to attack crosses and find space between defenders could cause problems for a makeshift Sunderland back line.

There’s also the added intrigue of a former Newcastle striker returning to the North East.

Wilson’s fitness and starting status are important considerations, so this market is best approached once the lineups are confirmed.

If he starts, he could offer a more worthwhile price than some of the obvious attacking selections.

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How to watch Sunderland vs Brentford

Date: Wednesday, 28 October 2026

Kick-off: 7:45 pm GMT

Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland

Competition: Carabao Cup fourth round

United Kingdom: Check Sky Sports+ and NOW for confirmed match coverage.

United States: Check Paramount+ for Carabao Cup coverage. Kick-off is at 3:45pm ET.

Canada: Check local EFL Cup broadcast listings for confirmed coverage.

Sunderland predicted lineup and team news

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted XI: Ellborg; Mukiele, O’Nien, Alderete, Methalie; Ahoka, Rigg; Fofana, Diarra, Angulo; Tutierov.

Sunderland’s injury situation continues to complicate Le Bris’s selection decisions.

Dan Ballard remains unavailable with a hamstring problem, while Romaine Mundle is sidelined with a knee injury.

Kevin Danso will serve the final match of his three-game suspension.

Thomas Meunier and Wilson Isidor are also doubts, leaving Sunderland short of options in several positions.

There was at least some positive news following Sunday’s draw with Leeds.

Nordi Mukiele, who was substituted early in the second half, has not suffered another injury and remains available for selection.

Brian Brobbey also returned from a hamstring problem to start against Leeds, playing 65 minutes.

However, Le Bris may be reluctant to risk the striker again so soon, particularly with important league and European fixtures approaching.

That could open the door for Timur Tutierov to lead the attack.

Several younger players may also be handed opportunities.

Chris Rigg could return in midfield, while El Hadji Malick Diouf’s involvement will depend on Le Bris’s plans for the weekend.

The Sunderland manager must decide whether to prioritise continuity or give his regular starters a much-needed rest.

Given the demands of their schedule, widespread changes appear likely.

Brentford predicted lineup and team news

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted XI: Valdimarsson; Hickey, Schuster, Collins, Diouf; Sangaré, Janelt; Anthony, Carvalho, Damsgaard; Wilson.

Keith Andrews has fewer selection concerns than his opposite number, although Brentford are not without absentees.

Antoni Milambo remains sidelined with a knock, while Joshua Dasilva continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Kaye Furo is also unavailable with a foot problem.

Yehor Yarmoliuk will serve the second match of his three-game suspension.

However, Vitaly Janelt is available again after completing a one-match ban.

The German midfielder could return to the starting lineup, allowing Aaron Hickey to move back into a more familiar defensive role.

Hákon Valdimarsson is a candidate to start in goal, while Nathan Collins and El Hadji Malick Diouf could return to the defence.

Fábio Carvalho will also hope to be involved after scoring against Reading in the previous round.

Mikkel Damsgaard provides another creative option, and Callum Wilson could be given an opportunity to lead the attack.

Brentford have demonstrated their commitment to the Carabao Cup in recent seasons, and Andrews is unlikely to field an entirely inexperienced side.

With several established first-team players available, the Bees should be able to make changes while remaining competitive.

Sunderland vs Brentford stats

• Sunderland are bottom of the Premier League with five points from eight matches.
• The Black Cats ended a four-match league losing streak with Sunday’s 0-0 draw against Leeds.
• Sunderland have won just one of their last six matches across all competitions.
• Sunday’s draw was Sunderland’s first Premier League clean sheet since August.
• Brentford sit sixth in the Premier League after losing just once in eight matches.
• Five of Brentford’s eight league matches this season have finished level.
• Both teams have scored in nine of Brentford’s last 10 matches.
• Brentford have lost just one of their last eight meetings with Sunderland in all competitions, winning four and drawing three.
• The teams drew 1-1 in their Premier League meeting at the Gtech Community Stadium in September.
• Brentford have reached at least the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in four of the previous six seasons.

Sunderland vs Brentford prediction

Sunderland’s performance against Leeds was an improvement, but the lack of attacking quality remains a concern.

Le Bris’s side defended with greater discipline and looked more organised than they had during their recent losing streak.

However, Brentford will present a different challenge.

Andrews’ side have been difficult to beat all season, and their attacking options should test a Sunderland defence missing several important players.

The biggest uncertainty is rotation.

Both managers are likely to make changes, but Brentford appear better equipped to maintain their level when regular starters are unavailable.

Sunderland should benefit from playing at the Stadium of Light, and a cup match might encourage a more adventurous approach.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Black Cats found the net, particularly given Brentford’s recent record of conceding.

However, the Bees have enough quality to take advantage of Sunderland’s defensive absences.

Score prediction: Sunderland 1-2 Brentford

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