The stats experts reveal who would make the cut in Sunderland’s strongest starting eleven.

The latest international break of the season offers an opportunity to reflect on what has been a challenging first three months of the season for Sunderland.

For the first time since 1973, the Black Cats are balancing the demands of competing in European competition alongside the ‘bread and butter’ of trying to impress in the Premier League once again. As it stands in the aftermath of Sunday’s home win against Chelsea, Regis Le Bris’ men are sitting in the relegation zone after that victory against the Blues marked only the second time Sunderland have collected maximum points from a league game this season.

The cup competitions have provided some room for positivity for the Wearside faithful with Sunderland in contention for a place in the last 16 of the Europa League after securing seven points from their first four games of the league phase. There has also progress made in the Carabao Cup with wins against Hull City and Brentford setting up a quarter-final clash at Premier League rivals Crystal Palace next month.

With the FA Cup still on the agenda in the new year, Le Bris will have to manage his squad carefully to ensure he can chase progress on several fronts during the second half of the campaign - but what is the Black Cats strongest starting eleven? We take a look with the help of average match ratings from the stats experts at WhoScored.