Graham Potter and Regis Le Bris
(Credit: Imago)
Josh Edwards
Thu 14 August 2025 10:20, UK
Graham Potter’s West Ham United make the trip to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland on Saturday.
West Ham have had a good pre-season period, but things turn real this weekend when the Premier League returns.
Sunderland play host to the Irons, having had a very different summer themselves.
Not only has Sunderland’s approach to recruitment been very different to that of West Ham, but results and performances have failed to build any momentum ahead of their return to the top flight.
Regis Le Bris
Regis Le Bris got Sunderland promoted (Credit: Imago)
Sunderland have struggled in pre-season
Sunderland lost five of the eight games in pre-season friendlies, though there may be a reason for that.
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The Black Cats have bought in 11 new players this summer, and Regis Le Bris is the man tasked with getting them to gel together for their fight against relegation.
The latest fixture ended in a 1-0 defeat at home to Rayo Vallecano, with their only two wins coming against South Shields and Augsburg.
Sunderland have won one, drawn one and lost one in their last three opening-day fixtures
The Mackems lost three and drew two of their last five opening Premier League fixtures
With that said, very few of a red and white persuasion will take too much notice of the results in pre-season, having also suffered a similar fate last time out in the same season in which they achieved promotion.
Having played eight games, Sunderland will have a fit squad and will be ready to make an impression on the opening day.
Graham Potter West Ham
West Ham boss, Potter (Credit: Imago)
Potter must be aware of Sunderland’s dangermen
Despite having just been promoted, Sunderland have several players who could cause a massive threat to the Irons if preparation isn’t done in advance.
Simon Adingra made the move from Brighton, while West Ham-linked Granit Xhaka is almost nailed on to start on Wearside, having been named captain for the season.
Sunderland have nothing to fear this season, and that could play into their hands when they host the Hammers in just over 48 hours.
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