ELIEZER MAYENDA will be leading the line as Sunderland kick off the new Championship season at Cardiff City this afternoon.

Regis Le Bris has opted to name the same starting line-up that played in last weekend's final friendly against Marseille as he takes charge of his first competitive match as Black Cats boss.

With Dan Ballard unavailable because of injury, Aji Alese will continue alongside Luke O'Nien at centre-half.

Dan Neil, who will be wearing the captain's armband, plays alongside summer signing Alan Browne at the heart of midfield, with Jobe Bellingham pushing on in an attacking-midfield role.

Jack Clarke lines up in his preferred position on the left-hand side, with Patrick Roberts starting on the opposite flank.


CARDIFF (4-3-3): Horvath; Ng, Goutas, Chambers, O'Dowda; Ralls, Siopis, Ramsey; Willock, Robinson, Tanner.

Subs: Alnwick, Fagan-Walcott, Bagan, Rinomhota, Turnbull, Robertson, Colwill, Meite, Kanga.

SUNDERLAND (4-3-3): Patterson; Hume, O'Nien, Alese, Cirkin; Browne, Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Mayenda, Clarke.

Subs: Moore, Triantis, Johnson, Ekwah, Rigg, Aouchiche, Ba, Mundle, Rusyn.