The Premier League welcomes back Sunderland this weekend as the Black Cats play their first top-flight fixture since 2017. Regis le Bris’ men kick off their 2025/26 campaign at the Stadium of Light against Graham Potter’s West Ham United on Saturday afternoon (August 16, 3:00 p.m. BST).
Sunderland’s Premier League Return
Sunderland sealed their long-awaited return in dramatic fashion last May, as academy graduate Tom Watson scored a stunning late winner in the Championship playoff final against Sheffield United. The Black Cats have since embarked on an ambitious recruitment drive to strengthen their squad for top-flight survival.
Former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka has been named Sunderland’s new skipper after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, while Enzo Le Fée and Habib Diarra are also expected to make their Premier League debuts. The challenge will be gelling these new signings quickly, especially with several long-term injury absences.
West Ham’s Summer Under Potter
The Hammers begin a new era under Graham Potter, who faces the challenge of steadying a side that has seen both key arrivals and major departures. Losing Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham was a setback, though the signing of French defender Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice adds steel at the back.
Potter has further bolstered his squad with the free transfer of Callum Wilson, who may be thrown straight into the starting XI alongside captain Jarrod Bowen. Crysencio Summerville misses the trip with a thigh injury, but otherwise the Londoners travel north with a full squad.
Team News
Sunderland
- Injuries: Aji Alese (shoulder), Luke O’Nien (shoulder), Leo Hjelde (Achilles), Romain Mundle (thigh), Dennis Cirkin (wrist)
- Suspensions: None
- Predicted XI (4-4-2): Roefs (GK); Hume, Ballard, Alderete, Masuaku; Talbi, Diarra, Xhaka, Adingra; Le Fée, Isidor
West Ham United
- Injuries: Crysencio Summerville (thigh)
- Suspensions: None
- Predicted XI (3-5-2): Fabianski (GK); Todibo, Kilman, Kostas; Wan-Bissaka, Soucek, Alvarez, Ward-Prowse, Diouf; Wilson, Bowen
Key Battles
- Granit Xhaka vs Declan Rice’s successor midfield trio: Xhaka’s leadership and bite in midfield will be crucial as Sunderland adapt to Premier League pace.
- Callum Wilson vs Daniel Ballard: Wilson’s poaching instincts against Sunderland’s centre-backs could determine West Ham’s cutting edge.
- Adingra vs Wan-Bissaka: Sunderland’s lively winger faces one of the division’s best one-on-one defenders.
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
- Kick-off: 15:00 BST / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT
- Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
- Referee: Robert Jones
- VAR: Stuart Attwell
Prediction
Sunderland’s return will be backed by a raucous home crowd, and the additions of Xhaka and Le Fée should give them a fighting chance. However, Graham Potter’s West Ham look balanced, with Bowen and Wilson capable of exploiting any defensive jitters from the newly promoted hosts.
Prediction: Sunderland 1–2 West Ham United