Instant reaction to Sunderland's 25-26 fixtures: Newcastle games, brutal December, and must-win ties

Sunderland Echo

Sunderland's Premier League fixtures for the 2025–26 season are out – and there's a lot to talk about.  In this video, I break down the Black Cats' key games, including a massive opener against West Ham at the Stadium of Light, two Wear-Tyne derbies against Newcastle United, and a brutally tough December packed with fixtures against Liverpool, Manchester City and more.  Can Régis Le Bris guide Sunderland to survival? Which matches will define the season? And what do these fixtures really mean for our Premier League hopes?  Let me know your thoughts in the comments – and don't forget to like & subscribe for more SAFC content all season long!

Transcript

00:00Right then, it is here. The Premier League fixtures are out. Sunderland are finally back in the big time after eight long years.

00:08But make no mistake, it is going to be a battle. And when you look at the fixture list, December is absolutely brutal.

00:16So first impressions, I would say it's a pretty kind start. There's a chance to build some momentum.

00:21West Ham at home, pick up early points, really ease into life back in the top flight.

00:26And it will be tough, but I think there's some winnable fixtures within those first couple of games.

00:32Obviously, Brentford at home as well after they lost Thomas Frank. So it's a relatively kind start for Sunderland.

00:38We don't play any team from the so-called Big Six until October 4th against Manchester United.

00:45But there's still some tough fixtures in there. But then comes December.

00:50Now let's take a second to talk about this nightmare of a month. Here's the run.

00:55Liverpool away on the third. Manchester City away on the sixth.

01:00Newcastle United at home on the 13th. Brighton away on the 20th.

01:05Leeds United at home on the 27th. Then Manchester City at home on the 30th.

01:10And to round it off, Spurs away on January 3rd.

01:14That is a horror show for a newly promoted team. It could be season-defining.

01:19We're going to have to be right physically, mentally, the lot.

01:22Because if you don't come out of that with some points, it could be curtains before the second half of the season even starts.

01:28December and January are such crucial months. It can be where a title challenge is made or broken.

01:34And where a relegation survival fight is made or broken.

01:37I'm going to have a look at the six key games I think are crucial to Sunderland's survival in the Premier League.

01:45West Ham on the opening day, August 16th. First home game.

01:49It's, you know, at the Stadium of Light, it's going to be bouncing.

01:52If we can get a win like we did against Spurs on the opening day back under Kino in 2007, I think it was Michael Chopra.

01:59It could lift everything. You get that confidence. You get that belief.

02:02Brentford at home on August 30th. Another opportunity.

02:07Brentford could be vulnerable, you know. No Thomas Frank.

02:10They're going to lose a couple of players as well.

02:12It might be the perfect time to catch them cold. Perhaps I'm reading too much into that. I don't know.

02:17Newcastle at home. It's a big one. December 13th.

02:21Tyne Weir Derby. The first league Tyne Weir Derby in eight years.

02:24Or Weir Tyne Derby, I should say.

02:26In the middle of that horror show December.

02:28A result there could spark something. Not just in the table, but emotionally.

02:32The City will be up for it. And it might just give Sunderland the boost they need.

02:36But it's going to be a tough, tough task.

02:39Newcastle Premier League, Champions League quality squad.

02:42Leeds United at home. December 27th. Massive, massive six-pointer.

02:47Sandwiched between Brighton away and City at home.

02:49This might be one game that we have to win over Christmas if we're going to stay in touch.

02:55Burnley at home. January 31st. Start of the running.

02:58Home game against another newly promoted team.

03:02Need to take points here.

03:04These are the fixtures I think will decide things come May.

03:08And again, Newcastle away on the 21st of March.

03:12Return leg of the Derby.

03:14Intimidating atmosphere at St James' Park.

03:16But if we're in the mix, come March and still fighting,

03:19even a point there could prove absolutely massive in terms of belief.

03:24My final thoughts.

03:26The Premier League is absolutely no joke.

03:29We all know that.

03:30There's going to be some big games there for Sunderland to target, especially early on.

03:34Home form is going to be key.

03:36But the big question is, can we weather this December storm?

03:40Let me know what you think in the comments.

03:42Which fixtures are you most nervous about and which ones are you absolutely buzzing for?

03:47Drop us a like, subscribe to the channel and join us all season long for Premier League content.

03:52From a Sunderland perspective, it's going to be one hell of a ride.

03:54Thanks for watching.

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