Sunderland secured promotion to the Premier League with a dramatic play-off final win over Sheffield United, ending an eight-year absence from the top division for the Black Cats.
Our FPL team preview looks at their style of play under Regis Le Bris, key <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a>, opening fixtures, predicted lineup, set-piece takers and more.
View our upcoming top three Sunderland FPL players for Gameweek 1 &#8211; and all of our pre-season content &#8211; in our <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fantasy-premier-league-ultimate-guide-fpl-tips">Ultimate Guide to FPL</a>.
<h3>🤖 Hub AI quick summary 🤖</h3>
Simplicity and speed are among Fantasy Football Hub&#8217;s core values, so many of our articles this season will come with a quick &#8216;Hub AI&#8217; summary for those who want the answer &#8211; fast.
Read the full article for the detailed picture &#8211; and listen to an audio summary if you prefer 👇
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Sunderland return to the Premier League after eight years, earning promotion via the play-offs under new manager Regis Le Bris
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Wilson Isidor led the team with 12 goals, while Patrick Roberts topped the assist chart and may be on penalties &#8211; but neither look like safe starters with Simon Adingra and others coming in
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A defensively strong Sunderland kept 17 clean sheets last season, and have added reinforcements like Reinildo Mandava and Noah Sadiki to further solidify this
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FPL outlook: A favourable early fixture list makes budget options like Adingra and Trai Hume appealing for Gameweek 1
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<h3>🗣️ Hub AI audio summary 🗣️</h3>
<audio class="wp-audio-shortcode" id="audio-73191-1" preload="none" style="width: 100%;" controls="controls"><source type="audio/mpeg" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ElevenLabs_2025-07-22T12_48_31_Jamie_pvc_sp100_s50_sb75_v3-1.mp3?_=1" /><a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ElevenLabs_2025-07-22T12_48_31_Jamie_pvc_sp100_s50_sb75_v3-1.mp3">https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ElevenLabs_2025-07-22T12_48_31_Jamie_pvc_sp100_s50_sb75_v3-1.mp3</a></audio>

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<h2>Best Sunderland players in 2025/26</h2>
<h3>🥇 Top scorer &#8211; Wilson Isidor</h3>
Isidor was Sunderland&#8217;s top scorer with 12 league goals, all of which came from open play &#8211; although the striker did miss two penalties.
Despite his height he doesn&#8217;t look to offer a huge aerial threat, with no headed goals last season.
Isidor also picked up three assists, and overall played a key role in Sunderland’s attacking efforts as their main centre forward.
The Frenchman was run close by Spain U21 international Eliezer Mayenda, who managed 10 goals and five assists &#8211; landing him level with Isidor on 15 attacking returns for the season.
<div id="attachment_73357" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-73357" class="size-full wp-image-73357" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GettyImages-2192155973.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="619" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GettyImages-2192155973.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GettyImages-2192155973-300x181.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GettyImages-2192155973-768x464.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Wilson Isidor. Picture by Getty Images</div>
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<h3>🅰️ Most assists &#8211; Patrick Roberts</h3>
Former Manchester City man Roberts led the way for assists among Sunderland players last season with eight, and his set-piece duties made him the main creative outlet for his side.
Those duties potentially extend to penalties, and while it was a mixed bag in terms of spot kick takers last season, Roberts looks the most likely as things stand &#8211; but there is plenty of competition for his place in the team.
He only picked up a couple of goals all season in the Championship, so is perhaps set to be more of a budget rotation asset than an FPL starter.
<div id="attachment_73359" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-73359" class="size-full wp-image-73359" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GettyImages-2164912424.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GettyImages-2164912424.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GettyImages-2164912424-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GettyImages-2164912424-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Patrick Roberts. Picture by Getty Images</div>
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<h3>⭐ Star player &#8211; Jobe Bellingham</h3>
There were plenty of unsung heroes for Sunderland last season including defenders Trai Hume and Dan Ballard.
Despite only registering seven attacking returns across the campaign, Bellingham made his presence known in midfield and was a key player in their promotion efforts.
Having now sealed a $25m move to Borussia Dortmund, it&#8217;s no wonder Bellingham stood out in the Championship last season.
Offering quality at both ends of the pitch, he will be a tough figure for Sunderland replace heading into 2025/26.
<div id="attachment_73360" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-73360" class="size-full wp-image-73360" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GettyImages-2216859981.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GettyImages-2216859981.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GettyImages-2216859981-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GettyImages-2216859981-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Jobe Bellingham. Picture by Getty Images</div>
<h2>Sunderland stats: Solid defensive data</h2>
Sunderland were the fourth best defence in the division last season, with only 44 goals conceded.
This translated to 17 clean sheets, which also ranked them fourth best, and it was only because of impressive defensive seasons from the likes of Burnley and Leeds that they weren&#8217;t higher in this regard.
New left-back Reinildo Mandava should add to their defensive solidity, as will defensive midfielder Noah Sadiki.
They were slightly less impressive at the other end of the pitch but have made signings already in this area to build upon a decent season overall &#8211; the likes of Simon Adingra, Chemsdine Talbi, and Habib Diarra have already come in, with a deal for forward Armand Lauriente having recently fallen through.
Sunderland&#8217;s 58 goals matched up almost exactly with their expected tally of 58.1, placing them ninth in the league for expected goals (xG), which would suggest the need for slightly more creativity in attacking areas.
<div id="attachment_73361" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-73361" class="size-full wp-image-73361" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GettyImages-2216109700.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GettyImages-2216109700.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GettyImages-2216109700-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GettyImages-2216109700-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris. Picture by Getty Images</div>
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<h3>Stats summary</h3>
Expected data for this section comes from <a href="https://fbref.com/en/comps/10/Championship-Stats">FBref.com</a>.
⚽ Goals: 58 (4th)
📈 Expected goals (xG): 58.1 (9th)
🔥 Goals conceded: 44 (4th)
📊 Expected goals conceded (xGC): 49 (5th)
🧤 Clean sheets: 17 (4th)
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta">Full Premier League Opta stats for all clubs</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>First six fixtures: Buy or avoid Sunderland picks in FPL?</h2>
Hub <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fixture-ticker">fixture ticker</a> rank: 2nd
Sunderland actually sit second overall in the fixture ticker heading into Gameweek 1, and the Black Cats will be eased into the first three gameweeks with two home games and a trip to Burnley.
This means they won&#8217;t have to travel to another Premier League side until Gameweek 4, with a trip to Crystal Palace spelling the beginning of a slightly tougher run.
We could have some could budget options on our hands for the opening gameweeks as a result of this, although none of West Ham, Burnley, or Brentford are likely to present particularly obliging defences.
A budget Sunderland defender for your bench could be a solid early season move for this reason.
<h2>Sunderland predicted lineup for FPL Gameweek 1</h2>
For our final predicted lineups, see our <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/premier-league-predicted-lineups">team news article</a> ahead of the deadline.
But below, we take a look at our Sunderland predicted starting 11 as things stand.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-73409" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Sunderland_2025-07-22_13-15-29.jpg" alt="" width="2400" height="990" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Sunderland_2025-07-22_13-15-29.jpg 2400w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Sunderland_2025-07-22_13-15-29-300x124.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Sunderland_2025-07-22_13-15-29-1024x422.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Sunderland_2025-07-22_13-15-29-768x317.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Sunderland_2025-07-22_13-15-29-1536x634.jpg 1536w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Sunderland_2025-07-22_13-15-29-2048x845.jpg 2048w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Sunderland_2025-07-22_13-15-29-1080x446.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px" />
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Sunderland operated in both a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1 at times last season, with the latter offering a more well defined role for Enzo Le Fee and Chris Rigg to compete at number 10.
Mayenda is expected to lead the line, although he will share minutes with Isidor who looks in many ways the classic Championship promoted striker.
A new signing in the form of Brighton&#8217;s Adingra will slot straight in for the injured Romaine Mundle at left wing, with Roberts facing stiff competition from another new man in Talbi on the other flank.
Two new faces complete the midfield &#8211; highly rated duo Diarra and Sadiki, the former of whom has greater attacking potential to offer.
Another injury sees left-back Dennis Cirkin out of action, and yet again there is a new signing to fill in with Reinildo offering proven defensive quality.
Jenson Seelt and Ballard look the likeliest at centre-back currently, but this &#8211; along with at centre forward &#8211; is a position the Black Cats may still look to strengthen.
Hume provides plenty of attacking potential at right-back, and he could make himself an FPL option having produced nine attacking returns last season.
Goalkeeper Anthony Patterson missed out in Sunderland&#8217;s latest friendly with Blondy Nna Noukeu filling in, but Patterson is expected to start the season between the sticks.
<div id="attachment_73411" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-73411" class="size-full wp-image-73411" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GettyImages-2226371802.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GettyImages-2226371802.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GettyImages-2226371802-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GettyImages-2226371802-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Simon Adingra. Picture by Getty Images</div>
<h2>Sunderland set-piece takers</h2>
Keep track on all set-piece takers on our dedicated <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/premier-league-set-piece-takers">set-piece page</a>.
A summary of Sunderland&#8217;s likely set-piece takers is below.
Penalties: Patrick Roberts, Wilson Isidor, Luke O&#8217;Nien
Direct free-kicks: Enzo Le Fee, Patrick Roberts, Romaine Mundle
Corners: Enzo Le Fee, Patrick Roberts, Romaine Mundle
Aerial threats: Dan Ballard, Jenson Seelt, Reinildo Mandava
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Sunderland FPL team preview 2025/26

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