Coventry vs Sunderland confirmed line-ups: Mfuni starts, Isidor on bench

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Coventry vs Sunderland confirmed line-ups see Stephen Mfuni start in defence for the hosts, while Wilson Isidor returns to Sunderland’s matchday squad among the substitutes.

Taiwo Awoniyi leads Coventry’s attack, with Matt Grimes, Gustavo Hamer and Ellis Simms on the bench. Sunderland start Brian Brobbey up front, supported by Nilson Angulo, Chris Rigg and Enzo Le Fée.

Kick-off is at 3pm GMT on Saturday 31 October at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Our Coventry vs Sunderland viewing guide explains the UK broadcast and highlights arrangements.

Coventry confirmed line-up: Mfuni partners Pinnock

Frank Lampard selects Mfuni alongside Ethan Pinnock, with Bobby Thomas absent from the matchday squad.

Caleb Yirenkyi and Victor Torp start in midfield. Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Jack Rudoni and Yann Gboho also feature behind Awoniyi.

The starting teams and benches are listed in the Guardian’s Saturday matchday coverage and AS’s match centre.

Coventry XI: Rushworth; van Ewijk, Mfuni, Pinnock, Dasilva; Yirenkyi, Torp; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Gboho; Awoniyi.

Substitutes: Bentley, Kesler-Hayden, Latibeaudiere, Grimes, Mason-Clark, Hamer, Simms, Thomas-Asante, Chérif.

Sunderland confirmed line-up: Brobbey starts

Omar Alderete partners Luke O’Nien in Sunderland’s defence, with Trai Hume and Reinildo also selected.

Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki start in midfield. Isidor joins Thomas Meunier and Kevin Danso among Régis Le Bris’ substitutes.

Sunderland XI: Roefs; Hume, O’Nien, Alderete, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Angulo, Rigg, Le Fée; Brobbey.

Substitutes: Ellborg, Danso, Méthalie, Meunier, Ahoka, Talbi, Isidor, Ta Bi, Fofana.

Bobby Thomas misses out after calf concern

Thomas had been a doubt after suffering a calf problem in Coventry’s defeat at Fulham.

In Lampard’s pre-match update, reported by Hayters, the manager said the issue was less serious than initially feared but stopped short of confirming the defender’s availability.

Lampard also reported that Haji Wright had resumed light individual work on the grass, while Josh Eccles had not yet reached that stage of his recovery. Neither is named in Saturday’s squad.

Our Coventry vs Sunderland injury guide covers those updates and Sunderland’s fitness concerns before the teams were announced.

Isidor returns to Sunderland’s options

Isidor’s place on the bench follows the positive assessment in Sunderland’s official match preview, which indicated he could return against Coventry.

That preview confirmed Dan Ballard and Romaine Mundle remained unavailable. Neither features in the matchday squad.

Coventry vs Sunderland kick-off time and UK TV

Detail	Information
Competition	Premier League
Date	Saturday 31 October 2026
Kick-off	3pm GMT
Venue	Coventry Building Society Arena
UK live television	Not televised
Highlights	Match of the Day, BBC One and iPlayer

The fixture falls within the Saturday afternoon broadcast blackout. Visit our Coventry vs Sunderland match centre for fixture information.

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