Regis Le Bris orchestrated a bright start to Sunderland's 2024/25 campaign and will be looking to do the same in the Premier League
Regis Le Bris orchestrated a bright start to Sunderland's 2024/25 campaign and will be looking to do the same in the Premier League
Sunderland now know what lies ahead of them in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign after the Black Cats' fixture list was revealed earlier this morning.
The Wearsiders brought an end to their eight-year absence from the top flight by defeating Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final at Wembley last month. Goals from Eliezer Mayenda and Tommy Watson secured the Black Cats' position in the Premier League, and excitement is beginning to grow ahead of next season.
Sunderland are yet to add to their squad ahead of the next campaign, with Jobe Bellingham one of the major departures following last season's promotion. The Wearsiders are on the lookout for his replacement and are hoping to strengthen various positions in the squad.
Getting those deals over the line early on in the window could be the difference in the Black Cats staying up next season. No Championship club that has won promotion from the second tier has survived in the Premier League in the last two seasons, and the Black Cats are out to buck that trend.
A glance at the fixture list this morning will have given supporters cause for quiet optimism. Although some will argue that it makes no difference who you play and when, given it's a fact Sunderland will play each team twice this season, the start to the season has been relatively kind.
Although Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest both finished in the European spots last season, the Black Cats avoid playing any of the traditional 'big-six' until late in October when they visit Chelsea.
That gives the Wearsiders the opportunity to get points on the board ahead of a really tricky December period.
Regis Le Bris got off to a flying start with Sunderland last season, winning nine of their opening 12 games, losing twice and drawing the other game.
The Frenchman's style-of-play may have been a so-called unknown quantity to the rest of the division, but the Black Cats made a brilliant start to the campaign.
His pragmatism and ability to grind out results made the difference early doors, and in theory, it's an approach that should be well suited to the top flight.
A repeat of that run of form certainly wouldn't go amiss. Of course, the Premier League is a different beast entirely, and the French head coach should be afforded time to build his squad and attempt to keep the Wearsiders in the top flight.
On the other hand, a pessimist would say a poor start to the season could all but secure their fate - Bet365 have Le Bris' side as the favourites for the drop at 3/10 and incredible odds of 2000/1 to win the league.
Sunderland supporters won't want to give that much thought having endured eight difficult seasons away from English football's top table.
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