Torreense v Sunderland: Europa League preview, predicted line-ups and team news
Sunderland travel to the Estadio Algarve as heavy favourites to follow up their opening win, while Torreense must cope without the suspended Nuha Jatta.
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Sunderland look to make it two wins from two
Sunderland can take another big step towards the Europa League play-offs when they visit Torreense at the Estadio Algarve on Thursday.
Both sides won their opening game, so both sit on three points. Bet365 make Sunderland 3/10 favourites, with Torreense 15/2 and the draw 4/1.
The visitors have the better underlying numbers. The hosts have the better story so far, having won away from home on their first outing in the competition.
Torreense
SunderlandPath to the round
Torreense opened with a 2-1 away win at Lillestrom on 17 September. They had just 33% of the ball and conceded 11 corners, yet still scored twice and took the points. Both goals came before the hour mark, and Lillestrom's reply arrived in the final 15 minutes.
Sunderland beat AZ Alkmaar 1-0 at home on 16 September, with the goal coming between the 61st and 75th minute. They had 20 shots, five of them on target, and an expected goals figure of 2.9 against 1.49 conceded. They also won 12 corners and kept a clean sheet.
Rotation context
This is a league phase rather than a knockout tie, and there is no second leg to protect. Sunderland have a handful of absentees and the gap in class suggests the visitors will not need to rotate heavily. Torreense have no reason to hold anything back at home, with a first European win on their own ground the obvious prize.
A shortage of numbers may decide matters for Sunderland more than any tactical choice. A side with five names on the injury list cannot rotate freely.
TorreenseSunderland
Line-ups
Torreense4-2-3-1- 1GLucas Paes
- 45DJ. Mutombo
- 5DM. Diadie
- 4DVolnei Feltes
- 23DJavi Vázquez
- 6MA. Oudrhiri
- 8MAlejandro Alfaro
- 11MManu Pozo
- 19MK. Zoabi
- 33MJoão Marques
- 27FM. Abubakari
Sunderland4-2-3-1- 22GR. Roefs
- 32DT. Hume
- 13DL. O'Nien
- 15DO. Alderete
- 6DD. Methalie
- 29MJules Ahoka
- 27MN. Sadiki
- 10MN. Angulo
- 11MC. Rigg
- 39MM. Fofana
- 57FTimur Tuterov
Where to watch Torreense v Sunderland: TV and online streams
Torreense v Sunderland kicks off at 17:45 BST on Thursday 15 October. A UK broadcaster for this fixture is not confirmed, and this page will be updated closer to kick-off.
If the tie is level after 90 minutes, it stays a draw.
Stats for Torreense v Sunderland
- Torreense won 2-1 at Lillestrom on 17 September and have yet to play at home in this season's Europa League.
- Sunderland beat AZ Alkmaar 1-0 on 16 September, keeping a clean sheet and registering an xG of 2.9.
- Torreense averaged 33% possession and faced 11 corners in their opener. Sunderland won 12 corners in theirs.
- This is the first meeting between the sides in our records, with no head-to-head data available.
Match Result: Sunderland to win
Sunderland created far more in their opener, with 20 shots and an xG of 2.9, while Torreense survived on 33% possession and 11 conceded corners. Without the suspended Jatta, the hosts will struggle to hold the ball. Sunderland should be patient and run out comfortable winners.