Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has hailed the influence of Omar Alderete on their defence this season as they proceed their push for Europe.
The Black Cats host Nottingham Forest on Friday, and a win would take Le Bris’ aspect some extent behind sixth-placed Brighton forward of the weekend’s fixtures.
Alderete has impressed in Sunderland’s defence this time period, main the staff in blocks (27) and clearances (200) whereas profitable 54.2% of his duels (128/236).
Sunderland have gained 11 of the 29 video games during which Alderete has featured this season (D8 L10), whereas profitable simply one of many 4 when the centre-back was absent (D2 L1).
“He’s been actually good,” mentioned Le Bris about Alderete.
“He’s a bit completely different. His character, the way in which he trains on daily basis, his connection along with his teammates. He’s a bit older and with a special tradition.
“His job as a centre-back might be a bit completely different then a midfielder, a striker or winger however he’s been actually essential to us and the way in which we need to play.
“When the opponent desires to go direct, he’s actually good at managing duels and lengthy balls contained in the field. He has this potential to defend and doesn’t must pressure it.
“He likes defending the field. His left foot is actually good too.
“Typically, he could be and not using a good stage of vitality to provide the suitable tempo but it surely’s as a result of he’s so expert so it’s simple for him. I believe he has improved this half in the course of the season.”
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— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) April 22, 2026
Forest took one other step in the direction of retaining their Premier League standing with a 4-1 win over Burnley final weekend.
Nevertheless, the Tough Timber did undergo a blow after centre-back Murillo was compelled off with a muscle harm.
Forest boss Vitor Pereira revealed Murillo will miss their journey to Sunderland and doesn’t know when the Brazilian will return.
“He’s out. We’ll see. It’s a muscle harm,” mentioned Pereira.
“I’m not a physician, I can’t predict [the duration of his injury], however he shall be out. I believe will probably be multiple recreation.”
And on Callum Hudson-Odoi, who has been dominated out for the season, Pereira added: “He’s OK after the surgical procedure.
“He is a vital participant for us, however an important factor is for him to totally recuperate and are available again on the stage he used to have.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sunderland – Chris Rigg
Chris Rigg grew to become Sunderland’s third-youngest Premier League scorer of their 4-3 defeat to Aston Villa (18y 305d), behind Michael Bridges (18y 117d) and Connor Wickham (18y 212d).
Solely Jordan Henderson (23), Julio Arca (15) and Sean Thornton (11) have extra begins as a teen than Rigg (10).
Nottingham Forest – Morgan Gibbs-White
After his hat-trick in opposition to Burnley, Morgan Gibbs-White has six targets in his final six Premier League appearances, as many as he scored in his earlier 28 video games mixed.
He’s averaging a purpose each 101 minutes beneath Pereira, one of the best ratio by any Forest participant with 2+ targets beneath a supervisor within the Premier League.
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
That is Sunderland’s first dwelling league recreation in opposition to Forest since a 1-0 defeat in September 2017, and first within the Premier League since a 1-1 attract March 1997.
Forest have misplaced 5 of their final six league video games in opposition to Sunderland, with the exception being the 1-0 win on the Stadium of Mild in September 2017.
Nevertheless, Forest have gained two of their final three Premier League video games (D1), as many as of their earlier 14 mixed (D5 L7). They’re searching for consecutive wins for the primary time since November once they beat Leeds United and Liverpool.
Solely Crystal Palace’s Premier League video games (71) have seen fewer targets this season than Sunderland’s (76), with their 4-3 defeat to Aston Villa final day out making up 9% of the targets scored in video games involving the Black Cats in 2025-26.
Sunderland have by no means gained a Premier League recreation on a Friday (P3 D2 L1), the one day of the week they’re but to win on. They may very well be the twenty first staff to win on all seven days within the competitors.
Pereira, in the meantime, has gained eight of his 13 Premier League matches throughout March and April with Wolves and Forest (D4 L1), averaging 2.15 factors per recreation. In all different months, he has gained simply 4 out of 26 video games (D4 L18), averaging 0.62 factors per recreation.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Sunderland – 39.2%
Draw – 26.6%
Nottingham Forest – 34.2%
