in assessed: Remaining fixture difficulty and opposition form
How difficult are Sunderland's remaining seven games of the 2025/26 Premier League season?
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The Premier League returns from the international break next weekend, with Sunderland hosting Tottenham Hotspur.
That’s just one of seven remaining games for the Black Cats as they seek to continue their push for the top half, and maybe even an unlikely European qualification. But what can Sunderland expect from their final Premier League matches of 2025/26?
Sunderland’s Premier League run-in assessed
Tottenham form: LLLDL
Position: 17th
The Premier League returns with a high-stakes encounter against a Tottenham Hotspur side in freefall. The Lilywhites are fighting for their Premier League lives, and it remains to be seen whether or not the arrival of Robert De Zeri will kill them or cure them. For all their defensive lapses, Spurs have plenty of players who can hurt you. Richarlison has nine goals in the Premier League this season, while Tottenham are one of the most dangerous sides from set-pieces, so Sunderland cannot afford to switch off. An early goal, however, could see the North Londoners crumble under fragile confidence.
Scoreline prediction: Sunderland 3-1 Tottenham
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Aston Villa form: DLLLW
Position: 4th
Aston Villa signed off before the international break with a vital 2-0 win at home to West Ham, which just about keeps them in the top four. However, their form has been awful over the last couple of months, and nerves are creeping in regarding whether or not they’ll secure Champions League football. That said, Villa’s home record remains a significant hurdle, with 32 of their 54 points coming at Villa Park, while Sunderland have only won four times on the road. Ollie Watkins ended his Premier League drought, and his movement and clinical finishing could be too much for the travelling Black Cats.
Scoreline prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 Sunderland
Nottingham Forest form: LLDDW
Position: 16th
Another game where Sunderland could influence the relegation battle. The Black Cats will see this as an opportunity to help secure a top-half finish and stay on the fringes of the European race. However, despite their struggles, it remains to be seen what sort of confidence Nottingham Forest will take from their resounding 3-0 win at relegation rivals Tottenham, with games against Villa and Burnley to come before travelling to the Stadium of Light. Morgan Gibbs-White is the obvious threat for the Tricky Trees, but Regis Le Bris will fancy his side to take the result at home.
Scoreline prediction: Sunderland 2-0 Nottingham Forest
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Wolves form: DLWWD
Position: 20th
Do not let the league table fool you; Wolves have found some late-season form and are fighting to at least keep their pride intact, even if they fail to pull off a mathematical miracle. Sunderland will get opportunities at Molineux, but Wolves have been a growing attacking threat, and Adam Armstrong got his first goal since joining the club away at Brentford before the international break. This could be a disappointing, yet surprisingly unsurprising draw.
Scoreline prediction: Wolves 1-1 Sunderland
Manchester United form: WWLWD
Position: 3rd
The Stadium of Light will be buzzing for the visit of a rejuvenated Man Utd. Michael Carrick’s men are looking to cement third place and possess quality across every position. Sunderland will need another air-tight defensive performance to negate their visitors' superior pace and movement. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha offer attacking dynamism, and Bruno Fernandes is an assist machine. And that’s without mentioning the unwanted but profitable super-sub role Benjamin Sesko has carved out for himself. This might be too much for the Black Cats.
Scoreline prediction: Sunderland 1-2 Man Utd
Everton form: LWWLW
Position: 8th
Everton are never an easy side to visit, regardless of what stadium they’re playing in. However, Sunderland have already tasted success at Hill Dickinson Stadium this season, winning on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup. That said, Everton are in a very different place now than they were then, emerging as surprise contenders for European qualification, including an outside push at the Champions League. The Toffees have beaten the likes of Newcastle and Chelsea recently, while they’ve scored eight goals in their last four games at the time of writing - their 2-0 loss at Arsenal the only blemish, and they pushed the Gunners hard in that match. Can Sunderland cope with the intensity on Merseyside, against one of the only Premier League sides with a better defensive record?
Scoreline prediction: Everton 2-0 Sunderland
Chelsea form: DLWLL
Position: 6th
A glamorous final-day fixture that could have massive implications for Chelsea’s European aspirations. The visitors have struggled for rhythm all season, alternating between flashes of brilliance and defensive lapses. And that has hardly been helped by their switch from Enzo Maresca to Liam Rosenior, as we’ve heard from multiple Chelsea players. Will Rosenior even still be in the dugout by then?
If Sunderland can frustrate Chelsea early, the home support could tilt the game in their favour. Cole Palmer is the undisputed dangerman for the Blues, acting as the primary creative hub and clinical finisher, but he’ll need to end a run of just one goal in nine for club and country at the time of writing.
Scoreline prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Chelsea
