{
  "id": 960389,
  "title": "Starting XI: We Predict Our Line Up For Our Final Pre-Season Friendly",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/starting-xi-we-predict-our-line-up-for-our-final-pre-season-friendly",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-15T05:12:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/starting-xi-predict-line-final-051226494.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Brentwood, Tennessee, Sunderland AFC held a preseason friendly on July 23, 2026. Head coach Regis Le Bris watched as the players trained. The team had retained all key players and still had time to add some strength to their squad. The final starting lineup for this pre-season friendly is expected to provide insight into the team's plans for the upcoming season. It is likely that Luke O'Nien and Jenson Seelt will start in the center of defense, with Thomas Meunier, Jenson Seelt, and Luke O'Nien making up the defensive lineup. Reinildo will play left side for Sunderland AFC. The midfield will consist of Trai Hume, Enzo Le Fee, Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, and Chemsdine Talbi. It is expected that Hume will start on the right side of midfield, while Enzo is likely to start centrally. Granit Xhaka will also return to the team. Sadiki will likely play in the center, with Talbi starting on the left. Striker Brian Brobbey is expected to lead the attack once fully fit, having shown significant improvement since joining Sunderland AFC. His partnership with the midfield is expected to strengthen as the season progresses.",
  "summary": "Things start to get real now, as the countdown to Ipswich begins!",
  "key_points": [
    "Sunderland AFC held preseason friendly in Brentwood, Tennessee on July 23, 2026",
    "Final starting lineup expected to preview upcoming season plans",
    "Luke O'Nien, Jenson Seelt, and Reinildo to start in defense"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The predicted lineup signals Sunderland AFC's intent to blend experience, as seen with Granit Xhaka's return, with youth, as evident with Chemsdine Talbi's likely start, ahead of the season.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}