OPENING DAY: Manchester City v Sunderland
Sunderland’s 2016-17 Premier League season will get underway on Saturday 13 August against Manchester City. The Black Cats’ opening-day trip to the Etihad Stadium will mark Pep Guardiola’s first game in English football, with the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager taking charge of the Citizens from 1 July.
HOMECOMING: Sunderland v Middlesbrough
A Wear-Tees derby awaits Sunderland in their first home game of the season with Middlesbrough travelling to the Stadium of Light on Saturday 20 August. The game will be the first league meeting between the two sides in seven years and a cauldron of noise is sure to greet both teams.
FESTIVE FUN: Watford, Manchester United and Burnley
Sunderland’s final home game of 2016 will see Watford travel to the Stadium of Light on Saturday 17 December, with Chelsea travelling to Wearside four days earlier on Tuesday 13. On Boxing Day two Premier League stalwarts will collide as Sam Allardyce and Jose Mourinho go head to head at Old Trafford, with Sunderland facing Manchester United for the first time since a 2-1 win at the SoL in February. The Black Cats will finish 2016 with a trip to Burnley on New Year’s Eve.
THE RUN-IN: Bournemouth, Hull City and Swansea City
Sunderland’s season will end at Stamford Bridge but prior to a final-day showdown with Chelsea they face Bournemouth, Hull City and Swansea City. Crucially, the games against Bournemouth and Swansea are at home meaning Sam Allardyce’s side will endure limited travel during the latter stages of the campaign.
CLOSING DAY: Chelsea v Sunderland
Allardyce’s side will complete their 2016-17 campaign with a trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday 27 May. The Black Cats ended the 2014-15 season at the Bridge as Mourinho’s side lifted the Premier League title, but the Special One won’t be with the Blues on this occasion with Antonio Conte now in the Blues hot-seat.
To view the full 2016-17 Premier League fixture list please click here.