Match Preview Sunderland vs West Ham United Premier League Game Week 1

Explore Ladbrokes detailed match preview for game week one Sunderland vs West Ham United in the Premier League. Stats, odds, predictions, and line-ups for the 15:00 BST match.

Fixture: Sunderland vs West Ham United

Date: Saturday, 16 August 2025

Kick-off: 15:00 BST

Venue: Stadium of Light

Sunderland return to the Premier League after an eight-year absence, having secured promotion via the 2024/25 Championship play-offs (4th, 81 points). Their pre-season was challenging (1-0-2), with a win over Augsburg (0-1) but losses to Real Betis (0-1) and Rayo Vallecano (0-3), exposing defensive frailties and integration issues for new signings Habib Diarra, Simon Adingra, and Granit Xhaka. West Ham, under new manager Graham Potter, aim to rebound from a 14th-place finish in 2024/25. Their pre-season was strong (3-1-1), with wins over Everton (2-1), Bournemouth (0-2), and Grasshopper (3-1), a loss to Manchester United (2-1), and a draw with Lille (1-1, 5-4 pens), showcasing attacking intent from Jarrod Bowen and Niclas Füllkrug.

At the Stadium of Light, Sunderland’s home crowd and attacking additions (Diarra, Adingra) could test West Ham’s defence, which conceded 62 goals last season. However, West Ham’s experience, led by Bowen and Lucas Paquetá, and new sig

Match Prediction: Sunderland 1-2 West Ham United

Sunderland’s pre-season was difficult (1-0-2), with a 0-1 win over Augsburg (Habib Diarra scored), but losses to Real Betis (0-1) and Rayo Vallecano (0-3) highlighted defensive vulnerabilities and challenges integrating new signings Diarra, Adingra, and Granit Xhaka. Régis Le Bris’ 4-4-2 will rely on Xhaka’s experience and the pace of Diarra and Adingra to exploit West Ham’s backline, but their lack of Premier League cohesion may be a hurdle.

Recent Pre-Season Results:

• Loss: 0-3 vs Rayo Vallecano (H)

• Win: 0-1 vs Augsburg (A)

• Loss: 0-1 vs Real Betis (H

West Ham’s pre-season was promising under Graham Potter (3-1-1), with wins over Everton (2-1, Lucas Paquetá, Freddie Potts), Bournemouth (0-2, Niclas Füllkrug, Potts), and Grasshopper (3-1), and a draw with Lille (1-1, 5-4 pens, Füllkrug scored). New signings Mads Hermansen, Jean-Clair Todibo, and Kyle Walker-Peters bolster the squad, with Bowen (13 goals, 8 assists in 2024/25) and Paquetá driving the attack. Their 4-2-3-1 aims to dominate possession and exploit Sunderland’s inexperience.

Recent Pre-Season Results:

• Draw: 1-1 (5-4 pens) vs Lille (H)

• Win: 0-2 vs Bournemouth (A)

• Win: 2-1 vs Everton (H)

Sunderland and West Ham United have not met in the Premier League since 2017 due to Sunderland’s relegation. Recent encounters are sparse, but West Ham have historically dominated, winning three of the last five meetings, with two draws. The lack of recent competitive matches makes this opener unpredictable, but West Ham’s Premier League experience gives them a slight edge.

Recent Premier League Results:

• Sunderland 2-2 West Ham United (15 Apr 2017)

• West Ham United 1-0 Sunderland (22 Oct 2016)

• West Ham United 1-0 Sunderland (27 Feb 2016)

• Sunderland 2-2 West Ham United (03 Oct 2015)

• West Ham United 1-0 Sunderland (21 Mar 2015)

• No major injuries reported for the season opener.

• No major injuries reported for the season opener.

• Line-up: Roefs, Hume, Ballard, Seelt, Mandava, Diarra, Sadiki, Xhaka, Adingra, Guiu, Isidor

Sunderland’s lineup under Régis Le Bris features new signings Habib Diarra, Simon Adingra, Granit Xhaka, and Robin Roefs. The 4-4-2 emphasises wing pace (Diarra, Adingra) and Xhaka’s midfield control, with Marc Guiu and Wilson Isidor forming a dynamic forward partnership to exploit West Ham’s defensive vulnerabilities (62 goals conceded in 2024/25).

• Line-up: Hermansen, Wan-Bissaka, Kilman, Todibo, Palmieri, Álvarez, Souček, Bowen, Paquetá, Summerville, Füllkrug

  West Ham’s lineup under Graham Potter integrates new signings Mads Hermansen, Jean-Clair Todibo, and Kyle Walker-Peters. Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paquetá provide attacking flair, with Niclas Füllkrug leading the line. The 4-2-3-1 focuses on possession and quick transitions, aiming to overwhelm Sunderland’s inexperienced defense.

• Granit Xhaka vs Lucas Paquetá: Xhaka’s experience and passing range will face Paquetá’s creativity in a crucial midfield battle.

• Jarrod Bowen vs Reinildo Mandava: Bowen’s pace and finishing (13 goals in 2024/25) will test Mandava’s defensive nous.

• Granit Xhaka (Sunderland): His leadership and midfield control are vital for Sunderland’s Premier League return.

• Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United): His goal-scoring form and captaincy make him West Ham’s key threat.

Ladbrokes brings you the most exciting odds to enhance your experience.

For the best Premier League outright predictions, explore our guide.

Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.