Sunderland have experienced mixed fortunes on the opening day of their last ten Premier League seasons.
Sunderland now know the challenges that lie ahead of them during the opening weeks of the Premier League season - and unsurprisingly, a number of their fixtures have been selected for live television broadcast.
The Black Cats face an opening day trip to Suffolk as they take on newly-promoted Ipswich Town on the penultimate Saturday of August before returning to the Stadium of Light to host Fulham eight days later. An away day at Brentford opens up September’s schedule and that is quickly followed by a home clash with reigning Premier League champions Arsenal before a trip to Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City rounds off the campaign.
Wilson Isidor of Sunderland celebrates.placeholder image
Wilson Isidor of Sunderland celebrates. | Getty Images.
Two of those fixtures will be broadcast live with Sky Sports’ decision to show the home clash with Fulham meaning that game will now kick off at 2pm on Sunday, August 30 and TNT have opted to show the Stadium of Light meeting with Arsenal on Saturday, September 12. The latter of those fixtures will now get underway at 8pm and there is sure to be a roaring atmosphere inside the Black Cats’ famous home as they look to produce an eye-catching result against Mikel Arteta’s men. But how have Sunderland fared in their last ten Premier League opening day fixtures? It’s safe to say, it’s a mixed bag!
2025/26: Sunderland 3-0 West Ham United
The Black Cats marked their return to the top flight with a comprehensive win against a West Ham side that would go on to be relegated at the end of the season. After a summer that brought the arrival of several high-profile signings, it felt fitting that three players that helped Sunderland to promotion found the net as Dan Ballard, Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor all scored against the Hammers.
2016/17: Manchester City 2-1 Sunderland
The new Premier League season will mark the first without Pep Guardiola as Manchester City boss in almost a decade. Sunderland actually provided the first opposition of the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich’s reign at the Etihad Stadium as a late Paddy McNair own-goal condemned the Black Cats to a defeat.
2015/16: Leicester City 4-2 Sunderland
Jermain Defoe and Steven Fletcher were on target for Sunderland - but that was not enough to avoid defeat at the King Power Stadium. A Riyad Mahrez brace and a goal apiece from Jamie Vardy and Marc Albrighton fired the Foxes to all three points and kickstarted a season that would see Claudio Ranieri’s side upset the odds to be crowned as the most surprising champions in Premier League history.
2014/15: West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Sunderland
Lee Cattermole fired Sunderland in front with an eye-catching effort at The Hawthorns - but Gus Poyet’s men appeared to be on their way to a defeat as Saido Berahino scored twice to seemingly put the hosts on their way to a win. However, a late Seb Larsson equaliser ensured the spoils were shared.
2013/14: Sunderland 0-1 Fulham
A low key start to the season as Paulo Di Canio’s Black Cats fell to a narrow defeat on home soil. Cottagers winger Pajtim Kasami grabbed the only goal of the game as the visitors collected all three points on Wearside.
2012/13: Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Arsenal had new strikers Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud in their side as they began life without Robin Van Persie following his summer move to Manchester United. However, they were left disappointed as a dogged and determined display from the Black Cats was rewarded with a point at the Emirates Stadium.
2011/12: Liverpool 1-1 Sunderland
A visit to Anfield on the opening day of the season was always going to be a tough task for Sunderland - but they came away with a credible point as a stunning volley from Seb Larsson cancelled out an opener from Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, who had missed a penalty earlier in the game.
2010/11: Sunderland 2-2 Birmingham City
The Black Cats were reduced to ten men during the first-half when Lee Cattermole received two yellow cards inside the opening 45 minutes. Sunderland were firmly in control when a Darren Bent penalty and a Stephen Carr own-goal put them within sight of the points - but the Blues hit back to claim a point thanks to late goals from defensive duo Liam Ridgewell and Scott Dann.
2009/10: Bolton Wanderers 0-1 Sunderland
Steve Bruce’s Sunderland reign kicked off with a win over Bolton via an early goal from debutant Darren Bent. The former Spurs frontman had become Sunderland’s record signing during the summer and he took just five minutes to open his account with a goal that earned an opening day win for his side.
2008/09: Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool
Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres were always going to provide a challenging start to the season for the Black Cats. They looked on their way to an impressive point before the latter of that trio produced a stunning late goal to hand his side a dramatic three points at the Stadium of Light.
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