Newly promoted Ipswich Town will begin their Premier League campaign with a home game against Sunderland.
Sunderland punched above their weight last season and will now be looking to build on it this time around. In an effort to retain the momentum, the Black Cats will be hoping to secure all three points when they hit the road to face Ipswich Town.
The home team have secured a return to the top flight at the first time of asking. They featured in the Premier League during the 2024/25 season, but went down as they finished 19th with just 22 points in their 38 outings. However, the Tractor Boys handled the situation quite well and have returned to the top flight in a year’s time.
Ipswich finished second in the EFL Championship last season with 84 points in their 46 outings. They have added quite a few new faces to the mix, as they look to ensure they retain their top-flight status this time around. Sunderland might not be a traditional giant, but they will certainly test the home team’s resolve.
Meanwhile, the visitors enjoyed a phenomenal 2025/26 season as they secured a seventh-place finish upon their return to the English top flight. While the objective was to survive the drop, the Black Cats ended up securing a place in the UEFA Europa League.
The Wearside outfit will be hoping to have a similar sort of campaign this time around as well. While they have not made too many additions to their squad, Sunderland have retained their core, which certainly helps.
An away game against Ipswich has never really been easy for Sunderland, but they should have the upper hand here. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Ipswich Town
The home team will be without the services of Azor Matusiwa (muscle injury), but apart from him, everyone else should be available for selection.
Ipswich Town are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Kjell Scherpen starting between the sticks. Dara O’Shea and Leif Davis should feature as the full-backs, while Issa Diop is likely to pair up with Jacob Greaves in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Florentino Luis and Marcelino Nunez should form the double pivot, with the duo tasked with providing cover and support to the backline. Further forward, Fatawu Issahaku and Daizen Maeda are expected to operate on the flanks, providing width, pace and creativity.
Sindre Walle Egeli should take up the number ten role. Finally, Emersonn is expected to lead the line for Ipswich against Sunderland, with the Brazilian striker looking to make the most of the service provided by the attacking players around him.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Scherpen; O’Shea, Diop, Greaves, Davis; Florentino, Nunez; Fatawu, Egeli, Maeda; Emersonn
Sunderland
The Black Cats could be without the services of Thomas Meunier, Nordi Mukiele, and Omar Alderete, as the trio are all doubtful because of knocks they picked up recently. Sunderland are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Robin Roefs likely to start in goal.
Trai Hume and Reinildo Mandava should feature as the full-backs, while Luke O’Nien is likely to partner Daniel Ballard in the heart of the defence. As for the midfield unit, Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki should form the double pivot, with the duo tasked with providing defensive stability and helping Sunderland control possession.
Enzo Le Fee is expected to operate in the number ten role, linking midfield with attack. Further forward, Chemsdine Talbi and Nilson Angulo should feature on the flanks, providing width to their attacks. Meanwhile, star striker Brian Brobbey is expected to lead the line for Sunderland against Ipswich Town.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Roefs; Hume, O’Nien, Ballard, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Talbi, Le Fee, Angulo; Brobbey
Key Stats
- Ipswich Town have lost their opening game in their last four Premier League campaigns (1994/95, 2000/01, 2001/02 and 2024/25) since a 3-0 win over Oldham Athletic in 1993/94. On the other hand, Sunderland have won their opening league game in each of the last two seasons, beating Cardiff in 2024/25 and West Ham in 2025/26. The Black Cats last did so in three consecutive campaigns between 1950/51 and 1952/53.
- Sunderland have not won away against Ipswich Town since January 2021.
- Ipswich Town have won each of their last four games.
- The Black Cats have not won any of the last three meetings between the two teams (two defeats and a draw).
- The home team have bagged 10 goals in their last five games.
Player to Watch
Brian Brobbey
The 24-year-old Dutch striker showed a lot of promise in his debut campaign in the Premier League last time out. While he featured in 31 games, he racked up less than 2,000 minutes but finished with seven goals and an assist.
Those numbers do not really tell the story, as Brobbey played a key part in the success they enjoyed. His strong physical presence and great hold-up play helped those around him. With an entire season under his belt, he is likely to put up even better performances this time around.
Prediction
Ipswich Town 0-2 Sunderland
Ipswich Town have strengthened significantly over the summer and will have home advantage behind them, but Sunderland will be very confident of their chances after a successful campaign in the top flight last time out.
The visitors have retained most of the squad that helped them secure an impressive seventh-place finish, and their midfield should be capable of controlling the tempo against the newly promoted side.
Ipswich could make things difficult early on, but Sunderland’s quality in the final third, coupled with Brian Brobbey’s physical presence up front, should eventually make the difference. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for the Black Cats.
