Eight long years since Sunderland last graced the Premier League. It is brazen and bold but it strikes a chord among Sunderland fans. Now they have put their trust in Regis le Bris, an incumbent who has bucked a trend in staying in post for over a year and, while outside the North East they will unquestionably be the favourites to go straight back down, for Sunderland fans at home and abroad belief is strong and unequivocal.
Read more: Sunderland 'don't want to be one-season wonders'
Chelsea reject Chukwuemeka bid and hold Bayern Nkunku talks
Sunderland v West Ham: Key stats and talking points
Sunderland begin their first Premier League campaign since 2017 at home to a West Ham United side hoping to improve following a mixed a start under Graham Potter. Can Sunderland spring a surprise on top-flight return? The newly promoted team have so far spent a net total of around £100m on transfers and although Jobe Bellingham has departed to the Bundesliga, 11 new arrivals have sparked hopes that rather than simply surviving, Sunderland may even prosper on their return to top-flight football.
Read more: Sunderland v West Ham: Key stats and talking points
Aston Villa v Newcastle: Key stats and talking points
BBC Sport explores some of the major talking points surrounding the opening day fixture between Unai Emery's Aston Villa and Eddie Howe's Newcastle United, with both clubs experiencing a turbulent pre-season. Only goal difference separated these sides in 2024-25, with Newcastle returning to the Champions League by finishing fifth and denying Aston Villa the chance to repeat their run to last season's quarter-finals. Villa were fined £9.5m by Uefa in July for breaching the European governing body's financial rules last season, including spending more than the permitted 80% of income on player wages.
Read more: Aston Villa v Newcastle: Key stats and talking points
👕 Weekly kit roundup: third shirts take centre stage across Europe
As per Voetbal International, FC Volendam have signed Joel Ideho on loan from Sparta Rotterdam. Although there is no option to buy, the 22-year-old Ideho looks set to provide the newly promoted club w...
Read more: FC Volendam take Sparta Rotterdam’s Ideho on loan
