Sunderland have experienced a tough and tactical opening stretch to the 2026/27 campaign, balancing Premier League battles with Carabao Cup progress and an upcoming European debut:

Brentford 1–1 Sunderland (Enzo Le Fée’s late penalty rescued a hard-earned point at the Gtech Community Stadium)

Sunderland 1–0 Hull City (Chemsdine Talbi’s exquisite chip sent the Black Cats through in the EFL Cup third round)

Sunderland 0–2 Arsenal (A battling display undone by Bruno Guimarães and a late Bukayo Saka penalty at the Stadium of Light)

With AZ Alkmaar heading to the Stadium of Light for a UEFA Europa League opener next followed by a tough trip to face Manchester City at the Etihad, can the Black Cats bounce back under the lights? Let us know below!