Sunderland are back in action this evening when they travel to take on Arsenal in the League Cup quarter-final.

The main aim for the Black Cats this season is to win promotion back to the Championship, but the cup has proved to be a welcome distraction so far, with the side picking up an impressive win at QPR last time out.

Of course, it will be a much tougher challenge at the Emirates Stadium, but Lee Johnson will feel his side are capable of pulling off a shock.

With a game against Doncaster on December 27, there may be a temptation to rotate, although the boss has suggested he will go strong and here we look at the XI we expect...

Defensively, Johnson is expected to go with the same players who have featured in the league, with Ron-Thorben Hoffmann behind a back three of Callum Doyle, Tom Flanagan and Bailey Wright.

Lee Burge was the hero at QPR last time out, but there are doubts about his availability, so the German should get the chance in the capital. Elsewhere, Denver Hume has returned to fitness and should start with Leon Dajaku's injury meaning Lynden Gooch will switch to the opposite flank.

In midfield, Dan Neil and Carl Winchester will provide the energy that Sunderland will hope disrupts the hosts, with Alex Pritchard the creative spark in front of those two.

Finally, Ross Stewart and Nathan Broadhead are expected to be the front two, with the pair having built up a decent understanding in recent weeks, which they will look to build on against Arsenal.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.