I expect Sunderland will largely stick for the first game with the players who ended the season. Injuries to Brown may give Kaboul or Coates could get a run out,
Rodwell Cattermole and Guaccherini have been bigging themselves up this week in the media so will be in squad but only Catts is guaranteed a start.
Johnson does have a court appearance later in the month but until then at least should always make the squad.
Billy Jones has put in some decent performances but can be a bit injury prone so I think he will start but once he picks up an injury his place will go to Matthews and we can see how he fares.
Upfront Defoe must be a regular and Fletcher netted in his last premier game at Chelsea so will probs get a start as Whickham has gone. Whickham could be a big miss. Lens and Van Aanholt should also be regulars. Lens has already scored in the last friendly and has had a good preseason by all reports.
Pantilmon
Jones/Matthews O'Shea Kaboul van Aanholt
Johnson Larrson Catermole Lens
Defoe Fletcher
Bench - Mannone, Coates, Jones/Matthews, Guaccherini, Rodwell, Graham
Injuries - Brown (knock) Gomez (knee) both rated at 75% on FPL - expect one of these to make up the bench.
And subject to any other new signings.
At long last we look like we might be getting a reasonable bench together and some competition to get in the squad.