The Premier League kicks off its 2025/26 season with an intriguing clash at the Stadium of Light, where newly promoted Sunderland face West Ham United on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
Sunderland, back in the top flight after a strong Championship campaign, aim to make a statement in front of their passionate home crowd. West Ham, under the guidance of Graham Potter, are looking to build consistency following a mixed 2024/25 season
With both teams eager to start the season on a high note, this match promises to be a tightly contested affair, blending Sunderland’s home resilience with West Ham’s attacking flair.
Prediction
Sunderland’s return to the Premier League brings excitement, but their defensive solidity will be tested by West Ham’s attacking options.
The Black Cats have shown they can grind out results at home, with their recent Championship form highlighting a knack for keeping games tight, averaging just 1.2 goals per game in their final five home matches last season.
West Ham, however, have been potent on the road, scoring in each of their last eight matches, including a 3-1 victory over Ipswich. Despite Sunderland’s home advantage, West Ham’s experience and attacking depth give them a slight edge.
A predictive model suggests a 41.7% chance of a West Ham win, 32.2% for Sunderland, and a 26.1% chance of a draw. Given the cautious approach both teams may adopt in this season opener, a low-scoring draw feels like a realistic outcome, with a 1-1 result being the most likely scoreline.
Head-to-head
Historically, West Ham have had the upper hand in recent encounters with Sunderland. In their last six meetings, Sunderland have failed to secure a victory, with West Ham winning three times and three matches ending in draws.
The most recent clash at the Stadium of Light in 2017 ended in a 2-2 draw, a scoreline that has been a recurring theme in this fixture. Across these six games, Sunderland scored five goals while West Ham netted eight, indicating the Hammers’ slight edge in attacking output.
Sunderland’s last win over West Ham came in 2013, a 3-0 victory at home, but their current winless streak against the Hammers suggests a tough challenge ahead.
Possible lineups
Sunderland’s lineup is likely to feature new signing Habib Diarra, who could make his Premier League debut in midfield, bringing energy and creativity.
Also factoring into Sunderland’s squad this season are enforcements including Enzo Le Fée, Noah Sadiki, Reinildo Mandava, Simon Adingra, Granit Xhaka, Robin Roefs, Arthur Masuaku, and on loan—Marc Guiu.
The Black Cats may line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Roefs in goal; a backline of Hume, Ballard, Reinildo, and Harrison Jones; Talbi and Sadiki anchoring midfield; with Adingra, Diarra, and Le FĂ©e supporting striker Eliezer Mayenda.
West Ham, dealing with the absence of Crysencio Summerville due to injury, might opt for a 4-3-3 setup under Potter’s tactical vision.
New arrivals for West Ham include Jean-Clair Todibo, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Kyle Walker-Peters, Callum Wilson, and Mads Hermansen.
A possible lineup includes Areola in goal; a defense of Todibo, Kilman, Aguerd, and Diouf; midfielders Wan-Bissaka, Potts, and Soucek; with Paqueta, Bowen, and Fullkrug leading the attack.
Betting tips
For bettors, this match offers several intriguing options. A draw at odds of 3.30 provides value given the likelihood of a cautious, low-scoring game.
The under 2.5 goals market, priced at around 1.80, is appealing due to Sunderland’s tight home games and West Ham’s disciplined away performances last season, where they averaged just 3.42 corners per game.
Both teams to score (BTTS) at 1.67 is another solid pick, as West Ham have scored in their last eight matches, and Sunderland have found the net in their last three competitive outings.
For a riskier bet, Habib Diarra as an anytime goalscorer could be worth considering, given his advanced positioning and set-piece involvement. A suggested bet builder includes under 2.5 goals, West Ham under 4.5 corners, and Diarra to score, combining data-driven trends with the match’s expected tempo.