Torreense v Sunderland: Europa League preview, predicted line-ups and team news
Sunderland arrive at the Estadio Algarve as heavy favourites, with Torreense missing a suspended midfielder and the visitors short of five players.
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Sunderland look to make it two from two in Portugal
Sunderland can follow up their opening Europa League win with another at the Estadio Algarve on Thursday, when they visit Torreense on matchday two of the league phase.
Both sides won their first game, so neither has lost in the competition. bet365 still make the visitors 1/3 favourites, with Torreense 13/2 and the draw 4/1.
The hosts are the story of the night. A debutant in this competition, Torreense have to prove that their win in Norway was no one-off.
Torreense
SunderlandHow they got here
Torreense began with a 2-1 win away at Lillestrom on 17 September. They scored in the 16-30 and 46-60 minute bands, conceded in the final 15 and finished with 33% possession. They have not yet played a home game in the competition.
Sunderland beat AZ Alkmaar 1-0 at home the day before. The goal came between the 61st and 75th minutes, from the penalty spot. They had 20 shots, five on target, and 12 corners to AZ's five. They also kept a clean sheet.
TorreenseSunderland
Rotation and selection
Neither side has a domestic reason in the supplied data to hold anything back. Both have a 100% record in Europe and both will want to build on it.
Sunderland's problem is availability rather than choice. Five players are listed as missing, so the starting XI more or less picks itself.
Torreense have lost Nuha Jatta to a red card, which forces one change in midfield.
Predicted line-ups for Torreense v Sunderland
Torreense: Adriel; Danilo, Stopira, David Bruno; Alfaro, Reina, Pozo; Marques
Sunderland: Roefs; Meunier, Mukiele, Danso, Alese; Xhaka, Sadiki; Ahoka, Rigg; Isidor
Torreense should stay in the 4-2-3-1 they used in Norway, with a more defensive pairing in midfield. Sunderland also used a 4-2-3-1 on matchday one.
Where to watch Torreense v Sunderland: TV and online streams
Torreense v Sunderland kicks off at 17:45 BST on Thursday 15 October at the Estadio Algarve. It is a league-phase match, so there is no second leg. The game is shown on TNT Sports where selected, and can be streamed via the TNT Sports app and Discovery+ for subscribers. If level after 90 minutes, the match ends as a draw. There is no extra time or penalty shoot-out in the league phase.
Stats for Torreense v Sunderland
- Torreense are unbeaten in the Europa League this season, with one win from one. They won 2-1 away at Lillestrom.
- Sunderland have one win and one clean sheet from one game, beating AZ Alkmaar 1-0 at home.
- Sunderland averaged 20 shots and 12 corners in that win. Torreense averaged 11 shots and 2 corners in theirs.
- This is the first competitive meeting between the sides in our supplied data, which holds no head-to-head record.