Sunderland will be looking to pick up yet another positive result in Sky Bet League One this Saturday as Lee Johnson's men travel to Fratton Park to face Portsmouth.

The Black Cats currently top the league standings in the third tier after nine games played, with the North East outfit having largely lived up to many people's billing as one of the main promotion favourites.

A 5-0 home win against Cheltenham Town in midweek highlighted just how good Johnson's side can be when they hit top gear and they will now be looking to make another big statement by picking up a win against Pompey tomorrow.

Portsmouth by comparison are currently on a run of six games without a win in the league and will be hoping that their fortunes can change against this free scoring Sunderland side on home turf.

Here, we take a look at the predicted starting eleven that Johnson could set out against Portsmouth this weekend.

 

Ron-Thorben Hoffmann will once again keep his place between the sticks after making a great impact since arriving at the club on loan from Bayern Munich.

In defence, Dennis Cirkin could be back available after sitting out the game against Cheltenham with concussion, with the youngster set to slot in alongside the likes of Bailey Wright, Tom Flanagan and Carl Winchester in the back four.

In midfield, Luke O'Nien should once again be partnered by Corry Evans as a double pivot, with the duo having had a great game on Tuesday.

In the final third, Aiden McGeady should operate from the right, whilst the likes of Elliot Embleton and Leon Dajaku should come in for Nathan Broadhead and Aiden O'Brien respectively, with the former having sustained a hamstring injury against Cheltenham.

Meanwhile striker Ross Stewart will once again lead the line as the lone frontman as he seeks to add to his rising tally of goals this term.