After a hugely encouraging first season back in the Premier League, Sunderland begin their second campaign in the top flight on Saturday with a trip to newly promoted Ipswich Town.
Régis Le Bris’ side surprised plenty of people last season, finishing seventh and securing European football in the process.
Now comes the tricky part. Sunderland have to prove that was not a one-season flash in the pan.
Ipswich, meanwhile, are back in the Premier League after just one year away. The Tractor Boys finished second in the Championship last season and have spent heavily over the summer to make sure they are better prepared this time around.
Gary O’Neil has also taken over from Kieran McKenna, giving Ipswich a completely different voice in the dugout.
The club have spent more than £100m on new players, including Florentino Luís, Issa Diop, Sasa Lukic and record signing Emersonn.
Sunderland have not needed the same sort of rebuild. That could be important as Le Bris’ side won’t face the same teething problems.
The Black Cats have kept the core of the team that performed so well last season, while adding experience in the shape of Thomas Meunier and French left back Dayann Methalie.
This could end up being a much closer game than some of the other opening weekend fixtures.
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What are the best picks for Ipswich Town vs Sunderland?
Sunderland double chance
I am not convinced there is enough between these two sides to pick a clear winner.
That makes Sunderland double chance the safer option for me.
Ipswich have made some very good additions this summer. There is no question that their squad looks stronger than the one that went straight back down last time.
However, Sunderland already know they can compete at this level.
They finished seventh last season and took points from some of the biggest clubs in the division. More importantly, Le Bris has kept his squad together.
There is also plenty of confidence around the club after victories over Lens and Rennes during pre-season. Not like they mean much when it comes to the Premier League.
Ipswich have home advantage, and that should count for something. But Sunderland are the more settled team going into this one.
I would not be surprised if Ipswich get something from the game. I just don’t think they are a side worth backing at a short price against a Sunderland team that already knows what it takes not just to survive but thrive in this league.
Over 2.5 goals
This is another game where I can see both teams having a go.
Ipswich scored plenty during pre-season, beating Rayo Vallecano 3-0 and Union Berlin 4-2 in their final two warm-up games.
Sunderland have also looked dangerous going forward. Despite struggling in that department last season.
They scored five against York, two against Lens and another two against Rennes during their preparations.
There are also plenty of attacking players on both sides who can make something happen.
Ipswich have Julio Enciso, Daizen Maeda and record signing Emersonn.
Sunderland have Le Fée, Brobbey, Grant Xhaka and Nilson Angulo.
Neither side has played a competitive game yet, so there is obviously some guesswork involved.
Still, I think this has goals in it.
The last three competitive meetings between the clubs produced 13 goals, including a 5-2 Ipswich win in 2017 and two 2-1 victories for Ipswich in their most recent Championship meetings.
I would not be shocked to see another entertaining game here.
Brian Brobbey to score
Brobbey is the Sunderland player I want to keep an eye on here.
The Dutch striker bullied opposition last season and nailed down the starting role for the Black Cats. He scored 7 goals in the Premier League last season in a lacklustre Sunderland attack.
He then also scored 3 goals in 4 games for the Netherlands at the World Cup, so it’s fair to say he is in decent form.
His form continued into pre-season, scoring against Lennes in Sunderland’s final game before this opener.
Ipswich have made plenty of changes at the back, with Issa Diop among the new arrivals.
That is a good signing, but a new defensive unit can take time to settle.
Brobbey is exactly the type of striker who can make that uncomfortable. He is strong, quick and does not need five chances to make an impact.
Sunderland should get opportunities at Portman Road, and if Brobbey gets one in the right area, I fancy him to take it.
Where can I watch Ipswich Town vs Sunderland?
In the UK, Ipswich Town vs Sunderland will kick off at 3:00 PM BST on Saturday, August 22.
The game will not be shown live on UK television due to the 3 pm blackout.
For viewers in the USA, Ipswich Town vs Sunderland will be available live on Peacock, with kickoff at 10:00 AM ET. NBCUniversal has confirmed the game is also available through its Premier League Multiview coverage.
What have the managers said?
Gary O’Neil:
“I’m hugely excited by the opportunity.”
O’Neil said he was excited to take charge of Ipswich when he was appointed in June, having followed the club’s progress closely before replacing McKenna.
O’Neil has also been clear that the focus during pre-season was getting his players ready for Sunderland.
“We’re not trying to win every friendly game, well, we are, but that’s not the aim; the aim is to get everybody ready for Sunderland.”
Regis Le Bris:
“If we follow the pundits and the odds, I think it’s hard to be positive. But two seasons ago we were expected to be midtable and finally we got promoted at the end of the season at Wembley. Last season we were expected to be relegated by the end of December, probably; then we got this qualification in Europe at the end of the season.”
Le Bris said he wasn’t worried about pundits and bookmakers tipping his side for relegation this season. Stating people have doubted Sunderland many times during his reign and that they are happy to be the underdogs.
What is Ipswich Town’s predicted team?
(4-2-3-1) Scherpen – O’Shea, Diop, Greaves, Davis – Nunez, Lukic – Fatawu, Walle Egeli, Maeda – Emersonn.
Doubts: Florentino, Matusiwa.
Ipswich have a few fitness concerns heading into the opening weekend.
The big question is how quickly the new signings can settle.
Emersonn, in particular, will be under pressure to justify the club-record fee after arriving from Toulouse.
What is Sunderland’s predicted team?
(4-2-3-1) Roefs – Meunier, Mukiele, Ballard, Reinildo – Xhaka, Sadiki – Hume, Le Fee, Angulo – Brobbey.
Doubts: Alderete, Mukiele.
Injured: Adingra.
Sunderland also have a few fitness concerns heading into their opening game.
Dan Ballard is available after serving his suspension, while Mukiele and Alderete are doubts, although the former is expected to play.
Le Bris has a decision to make on the right side of his attack, with Trai Hume, Chris Rigg and Chemsdine Talbi all competing for a starting role. I expect Hume to get the nod after a good goal-scoring run in pre-season.
Sunderland have plenty of options, which is a nice problem for the manager to have.
Score prediction: Ipswich Town 1-2 Sunderland
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