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No player in the Sunderland side has matched Harry Wilson’s five game-clinching goals, with the Fulham wide attacker’s decisive strikes coming from eight overall.
Samuel Chukwueze and Raul Jimenez have also been pivotal for the Cottagers, with Chukwueze averaging a goal or assist every 91 minutes — considering players with 500 minutes or more, a rate bettered only by Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (77 minutes) — while Jimenez aims to build on his three match-winning goals, six in total.
Jimenez scored the only goal in the reverse fixture at Craven Cottage in November, and the forward now aims to find the net in both meetings against the same team for only the second time for Fulham after last season’s performance against Newcastle United.
While Silva has a healthy squad for Sunday, Sasa Lukic (thigh) and Tom Cairney (calf) are likely absentees for the West London side in round 27.
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Iwobi, Berge; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Kevin; Jimenez
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While Granit Xhaka’s return is welcome news for the Black Cats — Sunderland lost three of the four matches their captain missed — the Swiss midfielder may not be risked from the start this weekend.
Le Bris has, however, confirmed that Bertrand Traore’s knee issue will keep the Burkina Faso international out for at least another week, while Reinildo Mandava is ruled out for another month with a similar problem.
Although Xhaka’s five assists are a team high, the hosts can also rely on Enzo Le Fee for creativity, with the midfielder setting up four goals, level with Nordi Mukiele.
Also aiming to make a difference for the hosts is five-goal forward Brian Brobbey, who has netted two match-winning efforts and hopes to be decisive on Sunday.
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Hume, Xhara; Diarra, Sadiki, Le Fee; , Brobbey, Angulo
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