Sunderland vs West Ham Preview

• Both teams to score
• Over 2.5 goals

After an eight-year absence from the top flight, Sunderland return to Premier League action with a home clash against West Ham United at the Stadium of Light. This marks the Black Cats’ first competitive meeting with the Hammers since 2017, and it’s a fixture steeped in subplots, from Sunderland’s survival ambitions to West Ham’s bid to start the campaign strongly despite an off-season of change.

Match News and Current Form

Sunderland’s promotion journey has been a rollercoaster. Relegation from the Premier League in 2017 was followed by a further drop into League One, but after steady rebuilding, Regis Le Bris’ side secured top-flight football by winning last season’s Championship play-off final. That memorable day was sealed by a dramatic 95th-minute winner from Tommy Watson — a player who has since departed — but the summer has been defined by sweeping changes.

The club have brought in ten new players at the time of writing, with the headline arrivals including proven Premier League performers Granit Xhaka and Simon Adingra. Such a high turnover inevitably brings uncertainty, but there’s also excitement about how quickly the squad can gel. Sunderland will be acutely aware that each of the last six promoted sides from the Championship has gone straight back down. Avoiding a slow start will be essential if they are to break that pattern.

West Ham head into the new season having finished 14th in two of the past three campaigns. While stability has its merits, there’s been a notable reshaping of the squad this summer. The high-profile sale of Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham and the departure of several long-serving players mean this will be a fresh-looking Hammers team.

Graham Potter will take encouragement from his side’s strong showing in the pre-season Premier League Summer Series (W2, L1), but the real test begins now. The manager will be eager to banish the inconsistencies that plagued much of last season, particularly away from home against the league’s lower-ranked sides.

Head-to-Head History

These two sides have not faced each other since Sunderland’s relegation campaign of 2016/17, when the Black Cats claimed one of their meagre 24 points in a draw against the Hammers. Historically, West Ham have enjoyed the upper hand in recent meetings, going unbeaten in their last eight encounters (W4, D4).

At the Stadium of Light, Sunderland will hope to draw on home support to end that streak, though they will need to overcome the mental hurdle of facing a side who have had their number for close to a decade.

Hot Stats and Streaks

• Sunderland have lost 1-0 in each of their last three regular-season home matches.
• The Black Cats have failed to win any of their last nine season-opening Premier League fixtures (D3, L6).
• West Ham were unbeaten in eight of their 11 league games as pre-match favourites last season (W5, D3, L3).
• The Hammers have lost just once in their last eight away league games against promoted opponents (W6, D1).

These statistics highlight the challenge facing Sunderland on their return to the top flight, but also point to a West Ham side that can sometimes struggle to fully impose themselves when expected to win.

Key Players to Watch

Granit Xhaka could play a pivotal role in Sunderland’s midfield. The experienced Swiss international not only brings leadership and bite but also boasts a stellar record against West Ham, having won more Premier League matches against them than any other club in his career (W10, D3, L1).

His distribution and control will be vital in helping Sunderland compete in the middle third.

For West Ham, Jarrod Bowen remains the standout threat. With 56 goals in 193 Premier League appearances for the Irons, Bowen’s direct running and eye for goal have made him indispensable.

He will also have personal history in mind — the chance to score in West Ham’s opening away game for a third straight season.

Team News and Absentees

Sunderland are contending with several injury concerns ahead of this opener. Luke O’Nien, Dennis Cirkin, and Romaine Mundle are among those sidelined, which could affect defensive stability and squad depth.

West Ham’s injury list is shorter, with Crysencio Summerville the only likely absentee, meaning Potter will have close to a full-strength squad available.

Tactical Outlook

Sunderland are expected to adopt an energetic, pressing style, looking to capitalise on the home crowd’s energy in the early stages. The introduction of multiple new signings may bring unpredictability, but also teething problems as the team adapts.

West Ham are likely to take a pragmatic approach, focusing on disciplined defensive organisation and quick transitions through players like Bowen. Set-pieces could be a key avenue for them, particularly against a Sunderland back line still finding its rhythm in the Premier League.

Betting Analysis

Given Sunderland’s attacking reinforcements and West Ham’s proven firepower, the “Both Teams to Score” market holds appeal here. The Black Cats may find the net in front of a buoyant home crowd, while West Ham’s record against newly promoted sides suggests they should also have enough to get on the scoresheet.

While West Ham’s experience at this level makes them slight favourites, Sunderland’s emotional return and home advantage mean an upset cannot be ruled out.

Prediction

Sunderland’s return to the Premier League is bound to be charged with emotion, and they have enough quality to make this competitive. However, West Ham’s greater top-flight experience and knack for punishing defensive lapses could see them edge a high-energy contest.

Prediction: Sunderland 1-2 West Ham United

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Sunderland v West Ham United | 2025/2026 | Premier League | Overview