Lee Johnson made four changes to the side that started the midweek defeat against Blackpool on Wearside.
The Black Cats boss had said on Wednesday that there were injury doubts over key players, and 30-goal top scorer Charlie Wyke was absent as was Aiden McGeady.
They were replaced by Ross Stewart and Jordan Jones respectively.
Aiden O'Brien dropped to the bench, with Jack Diamond coming into the side.
And Conor McLaughlin made his return following hernia surgery earlier this month, coming in at right-back which freed Max Power to move into midfield where Grant Leadbitter made way and was included on the bench.
Plymouth manager Ryan Lowe made three changes, in his case to the side that lost at Oxford last weekend.
Kelland Watts, Conor Grant, and Ryan Hardie came into the side in place of Sam Woods, Byron Moore, and Luke Jephcott.
You can follow all the action is our matchday live blog here, with full-time analysis and reaction.
Today's teams
Sunderland: Burge. McLaughlin, Wright, O'Nien, Hume, Scowen, Power, Diamond, Gooch, Jones, Stewart
Subs: Matthews, Maguire, O'Brien, Leadbitter, McFadzean, Winchester, Younger
Plymouth: Cooper, Watts, Edwards, Opoku, Law, Grant, Camara, Fornah, Mayor, Hardie, Ennis
Subs: McCormick, Reeves, Moore, Lolos, Jephcott, Craske, Tomlinson
