Sunderland have enjoyed a terrific start to life back in the Premier League after an eight-year absence from England’s top flight.
Their strong form shows no signs of slowing down either. The Black Cats recently earned a fantastic point at Anfield against reigning champions Liverpool – further proof that Regis Le Bris’s side are more than capable of competing at this level.
With hopes of mounting a genuine push for a European place, Sunderland now face a defining festive period.
Here, Transfer News Blitz writer Ellie McDevitt breaks down the upcoming fixtures and offers her predictions.
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Manchester City (away) 6th December 2025:
Regis Le Bris’s men travel to the Etihad on Saturday to face a Manchester City side chasing down league leaders Arsenal.
City sits five points off the top and boasts the division’s most potent attack, scoring 32 goals so far. Erling Haaland has accounted for 15 of them, continuing his frightening form.
Pep Guardiola’s side has however, shown their defensive frailties. They’ve conceded eight goals in their last three league matches and nearly threw away a four-goal lead against Fulham midweek, scraping a 5-4 victory after being 5-1 up.
History does not favour Sunderland. They have never won at the Etihad in 12 visits, recording 10 defeats and two draws.
Their last trip ended in a 2-1 loss on the opening day of their ill-fated 2016/17 season – Guardiola’s first Premier League match and Sunderland’s last Premier League campaign before this season.
My Prediction: 1 – 1
Newcastle United (home) 14th December 2025:
The nine-year wait for a Premier League Tyne–Wear derby is almost over as Eddie Howe’s Newcastle are set to make the short journey to the Stadium of Light.
The Magpies have struggled away from home, winning only once on the road. Their victory came in their most recent trip, a 4-1 victory at the Hill Dickinson Stadium against Everton.
Sunderland, meanwhile, are unbeaten in league derbies against Newcastle since August 2011 – three draws and the famous six-in-a-row run of victories included.
Le Bris will be hoping captain Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki avoid bookings against Manchester City, with both just one yellow card away from suspension. After the derby, Sunderland will also lose several players to AFCON duty, with seven players set to depart for the tournament.
My Prediction: 2 – 1 Sunderland win
Brighton (away) 20th December 2025:
Sunderland head to the south coast in their final match before Christmas, taking on a Brighton outfit enjoying yet another solid season.
Former Black Cats loanee Danny Welbeck leads the scoring charts for the Seagulls with seven goals in 14 games, while Sunderland play-off hero Tommy Watson could also feature against his boyhood club.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side have won four of their seven home matches at the Amex, with their only defeat coming last night in a chaotic 4-3 loss to Aston Villa after leading 2–0.
This will be the first-ever Premier League meeting between the two sides. They’ve faced each other only three times since the 2000s, the most recent being a 1-0 Brighton victory in the League Cup.
My Prediction: 0 – 0
Leeds United (home) 28th December 2025:
The Black Cats close out the 2025 year at Home to their fellow newly promoted rivals Leeds United.
The Whites had lost four on the trot, and Farke’s job appeared under real threat, but a shock 3-1 win over Chelsea at Elland Road has steadied the ship – for now at least.
This will be the first Premier League meeting between the two clubs since Boxing Day 2002. Their most recent encounter at the Stadium of Light came in the Championship last season and ended in a 2-2 draw.
My Prediction: 2-0 Sunderland win
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