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Sunderland v Brentford: Team newspublished at 14:02 BST 30 August
14:02 BST 30 August
Sunderland make two changes to the side that lost 2-0 at Burnley in the Premier League last weekend. Nordi Mukiele and Enzo Le Fee both start in place of the injured Dan Ballard and Simon Adingra.
Sutton's predictions: Sunderland v Brentfordpublished at 11:03 BST 30 August
11:03 BST 30 August
Sunderland had that brilliant start against West Ham and they had a tight game with Burnley. I thought it'd be a draw but Burnley ultimately got the win.
Brentford played very well at Aston Villa and deserved their win in what was a massive result for Keith Andrews.
I've said before I know people have written Brentford off but they are an experienced, battle-hardened Premier League side. I think their win last week would've done them the world of good. They should win again on Saturday.
Sunderland v Brentford: key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:23 BST 29 August
19:23 BST 29 August
Tom White BBC Sport journalist
Sunderland and Brentford meet in matchround three with both sides aiming to secure their second Premier League win of the season. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Saturday's fixture at the Stadium of Light.
New kids on the block
For the first time since May 2023, the Premier League's bottom three contains no promoted teams from last season's Championship.
All three of Sunderland, Leeds and Burnley have won one of their opening two league games of the campaign – a feat that took last season's trio until November to achieve.
The signs, therefore, look positive that perhaps for the first time in three years at least one of the promoted sides can avoid relegation.
Home form key for Sunderland
This summer has seen 12 new signings arrive at the Stadium of Light for an initial expense of over £140m and head coach Régis Le Bris admitted after last week's defeat to Burnley that his side needed to "learn and grow", emphasising the fact that his new-look team "struggled to create rhythm in the final third".
If they are to succeed in their objective of avoiding an immediate return to the second tier the Black Cats will likely need to rely on their home form.
A vociferous backing of 46,000 Mackems drove Les Bris' side to a 3-0 victory against West Ham on the opening day to get them off to the perfect start.
However, last season in the Championship the North East side won just 12 of 23 matches in their own stadium, leaving them with just the sixth best home record in the division.
Image caption,
Sunderland may need to improve their home form to survive this season
Brentford win - but without the ball
Brentford, meanwhile, found their own home comforts last week, beating Aston Villa 1-0 to ease the initial concerns that followed their 3-1 opening day defeat at Nottingham Forest.
In a game that boss Keith Andrews hailed as "scrappy, ugly…..and I loved it", Brentford showed their resilience was still evident after substantial summer departures.
The Bees made just 178 passes to Villa's 587 while enjoying only 24% possession, their lowest ever in a Premier League victory and the 18th lowest share of any winning side in the competition. They averaged 47% possession when winning matches in the Premier League last season.
Image caption,
Brentford's style of play was different in their win against Aston Villa
Despite defeat at Forest, no team have won more points away from home in 2025 than Brentford's 23, with seven wins the club's joint-most ever in a top-flight calendar year away from home.
Ballard & Spencer out of NI's World Cup qualifierspublished at 17:45 BST 29 August
17:45 BST 29 August
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Dan Ballard and Brodie Spencer will miss the away World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Germany through injury
Northern Ireland defenders Daniel Ballard and Brodie Spencer have been ruled out of the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers away to Luxembourg and Germany.
Sunderland's Ballard was forced off in the first half of his side's 2-0 loss against Burnley on Saturday, while Spencer was injured in Oxford United's 6-0 Carabao Cup defeat against Brighton on Wednesday.
It is a further blow for boss Michael O'Neill, who is already without goalkeepers Pierce Charles and Conor Hazard as well as defender Ciaron Brown and midfielder Jordan Thompson through injury.
O'Neill has called up uncapped trio Kofi Balmer, Ryan Johnson and Jamie McDonnell as replacements and further cover.
Motherwell defender Balmer, 24, has made 20 appearances for Northern Ireland's Under-21 side and been called up to the senior squad on six occasions without making an appearance.
Johnson, a 28-year-old centre-back at League One AFC Wimbledon, receives his first senior call after featuring for Northern Ireland at under-21 level.
Midfielder McDonnell is currently on loan at League One side Mansfield Town from Premier League side Nottingham Forest, who took the 21-year-old from Irish Premiership side Glentoran in 2020.
He has represented his country at under-17 and under-21 level.
Northern Ireland begin their World Cup qualifying campaign in Luxembourg on Thursday, 4 September.
They travel to Cologne to take on Germany in their second Group A game on Sunday, 7 September.
Le Bris on Mayenda 'support', transfer window and 'strength' from fanspublished at 15:52 BST 29 August
15:52 BST 29 August
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brentford at Stadium of Light (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Le Bris confirmed there are no new injuries in the squad to add to Dan Ballard's: "At the moment we have 15-16 potential starters available for the match. So, tomorrow we start with 11 and maybe finish with three, four or five more players from the squad."
On how Eliezer Mayenda is after missing key chances against Burnley: "He is OK. It is part of the process. If we think about last season, it started like that - with one or two missed big chances - but finally was really good. Strikers and players in other positions can make mistakes, or a goalkeeper can make big saves. Stay confident and support him and it will be OK."
On possible incomings and outgoings before Monday's transfer window deadline: "For ins, we have to wait. For outs, probably will have an option for Ahmed [Abdullahi] so we expect to leave on loan. For others, it is still the same principle. Last couple days is crazy. Other clubs are just waiting to decide last minute."
Le Bris said there is still "one or two positions" he would like to add to but is "happy" with his squad: "The amount of work is huge [this summer]. Not an easy challenge. Connection with players now is good. They understand identity of the club, the connection with team-mates."
On the importance of home support for survival this season: "They are a key pillar of our identity. Sunderland is made with this support. If we don't use it properly then it doesn't make sense. If our fans recognise this identity, the willingness, the togetherness – they are happier when we win and that is fair, but we know this won't be possible every time. If we are connected with this ambition and commitment, it will be a massive strength for us."
On if bouncing back against Brentford is first test of his team's resilience: "This is the next game. Whether it is a win or a defeat, you always have to reset. The situation of the two games was very different. The most important thing in football is to stay adaptive, be ready to manage anything and be ready to go again with this idea."
Rigg signs new-long term deal published at 13:59 BST 28 August
13:59 BST 28 August
Image source, Getty Images
Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg is "absolutely buzzing" after signing a new contract, which will see him stay at the Stadium of Light until 2030.
The 18-year-old made his Premier League debut last week in the 3-0 win over West Ham.
He has made 74 senior appearances for the club overall, including playing a crucial part in the Black Cats return to the top flight and is the youngest outfield debutant in Sunderland's history.
He also won the Championship apprentice of the year award in 2024.
"There was only ever one ambition I had, and that was to agree a long-term deal here", Rigg said.
"It's been an incredible journey since I made my debut at 15, and I love playing here and being here every day, so I'm absolutely buzzing.
"The past couple of years have flown by - it only feels like yesterday that I made my Championship debut, and a couple of weeks ago I made my Premier League debut.
"It feels unreal, and I couldn't have asked for more. I'm so thankful to everyone who has helped me, and I'm so proud to be part of this team and this club."
Gossip: Sunderland hope to bring in Aguerdpublished at 08:25 BST 28 August
08:25 BST 28 August
Sunderland hope to convince West Ham centre-back Nayef Aguerd, 29, to join them but Marseille, AC Milan and AS Roma are all interested in the Morocco international. (Footmercato - in French), external
The Premier League newcomers have also made a new offer worth £24m to Bologna for 27-year-old Colombia defender Jhon Lucumi. (Sky Sports), external
Sunderland knocked out - fan viewspublished at 12:06 BST 27 August
12:06 BST 27 August
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Tuesday's EFL Cup match between Sunderland and Huddersfield Town.
Here are some of your comments:
David: Dreadful performance overall and a poor example for the rest of the squad. Winning is infectious - losing also. We have too many poor players.
Alan: This manager changes entire teams from one day to the next! Recipe for failure in the greatest league in the world. The Premier League will take us apart by trying to play untried teams in each game and then changing again.
Nigel: Poor first half. Much better second without too much cutting edge. Well done to Huddersfield, they played well and defended resolutely. The result shows the recruitment was much needed in the summer as this group of largely last year's team are too lightweight. Some bright spots but don't see too many kicking the first team door down. Disappointed our on-loan number nine didn't take a penalty.
Jennifer: They are slipping back into their old ways. They have to make shots on goal count. They definitely need a striker for the team or they will be going back down to the Championship again.
Ballard set to miss NI's World Cup qualifierspublished at 11:05 BST 27 August
11:05 BST 27 August
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Ballard went off injury in the first half of Sunderland's defeat against Burnley on Saturday
Defender Daniel Ballard is set to miss Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Germany next month through injury.
The 25-year-old was forced off during the first half of Sunderland’s 2-0 defeat against Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.
Speaking after the Black Cats’ Carabao Cup loss against Huddersfield on Tuesday, their boss Regis Le Bris said while the concern was not "long-term", Ballard does face a spell on the sidelines.
"It's not too serious so we expect him to be out for two to three weeks," he told the club’s website.
Northern Ireland are away to Luxembourg on 4 September and face Germany in Cologne three days later.
Michael O’Neill is already without first-choice goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who pulled out of the squad after injuring his shoulder when in action for Sheffield Wednesday.
'We struggled to find our rhythm'published at 07:59 BST 27 August
07:59 BST 27 August
Image source, Getty Images
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris, speaking after the Black Cats were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Huddersfield Town:
"I am disappointed because we wanted to win.
"Huddersfield played with passion, and they scored a fantastic goal in the first half.
"We were not at our best in the first half and struggled to find our rhythm, but the second half was much better.
"It wasn't enough to win the game, but we gave many players valuable minutes, so it is a positive for the future.
"It is important for our strikers to score, and tonight Marc [Guiu] got his first for the club.
"That gives him confidence and some key references he will need to build on with his team-mates. It is a good step for him.
"Nordi [Mukiele] and Arthur [Masuaku] brought good energy to their game.
"They haven't played much during pre-season for various reasons, so it was like their first pre-season match. Now they will be ready for Premier League action."
Sunderland v Huddersfield: Team newspublished at 19:05 BST 26 August
19:05 BST 26 August
Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has made a whole host of changes after the defeat to Burnley over the weekend, with Chelsea loanee Marc Guiu making his first start for the club.
'Move on as quickly as possible' - which camp are you in?published at 12:58 BST 26 August
12:58 BST 26 August
Gavin Henderson Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
I was one of the many Sunderland supporters that felt we'd go to Turf Moor and get something, particularly in the wake of such an emphatic victory over West Ham on the opening day of the Premier League season. But what we got was a reminder of just how difficult, unforgiving and unpredictable this division really is.
Sunderland started the better of the two sides, and just minutes into the game Eliezer Mayenda spurned a fantastic chance from five yards out after Dan Ballard nodded the ball across the box. It was at that moment when it all started to go pear shaped.
We were still the better team in the opening 45 minutes and there were other chances. But missing such a simple chance to take the lead and then losing a massively important player in Ballard to injury had a defining impact on the game. In the Premier League, you cannot afford to miss simple chances because the teams at this level have the quality to make you pay, which is exactly what we did to West Ham last week.
There are no sour grapes here - Burnley fully deserved their win. They scored two fantastic goals with a bit of quality in both that caught Sunderland off guard, and they defended just like they did last season when they had the meanest defence that the EFL has ever seen.
In truth, I think we've possibly played Burnley away at the worst possible time. This was their big return to the Premier League at Turf Moor, and with a sold out crowd eager to see them turn up and put on a performance, they did just that. It's entirely possible that in a month or so, their home performances won't quite have the same intensity, but there's nothing Sunderland can do about that and it's certainly not an excuse. The best team won on the day, and as an individual you pretty much have two choices when it comes to how you react.
Option one, you throw all of your toys out the pram in an insane hissy-fit and point the finger of blame in every possible direction. Option two, you remind yourself that, unfortunately, we are going to lose a lot of games of football this season and that you just have to move on as quickly as possible.
Vulcano on Ballard's fitness, 'calm' Le Bris and 'respecting' Carabao Cuppublished at 14:57 BST 25 August
14:57 BST 25 August
Nat Hayward BBC Sport journalist
Sunderland assistant head coach Luciano Vulcano has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Carabao Cup second-round tie against League One Huddersfield Town at the Stadium of Light (19:45 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Valcano gave an update on the fitness of defender Dan Ballard who was substituted early in Saturday's defeat at Burnley: "He is having a scan today - we will know more information about it in the next few hours. We all hope he will only be out for a short time because we need all the players."
On potential rotation in the Carabao Cup: "We respect every match so tomorrow will be a good starting XI. Regis is thinking about these things but we will respect the cup. Maybe some players will have some chances but we will see."
Vulcano emphasised how seriously the Black Cats will take the cup competitions: "Every match is an opportunity to show our style of play, our commitment to the badge for our fans. We want to go to the next chapter in this cup."
Asked how did his appointment as Regis le Bris' assistant came about, Vulcano said: "We were in touch last season but the timing was not the best because I was moving to Saudi Arabia. When there was the possibility over this summer, I had two or three possibilities to join clubs as an assistant or head coach. I felt the trust from Regis and the leadership group. It was easy for to choose Sunderland because it felt right."
On Le Bris: "It's really good because he gives you the calm to face any challenge. If you are too much under pressure you face the challenge in a poor way. He's really good in sharing these feelings and we are trying, every one of us, to be like him. I am learning. He is really welcoming because I can go in his office any moment. His side of being open is really important for me."
Sadiki 'happy' to be in the Premier League but wants morepublished at 10:02 BST 25 August
10:02 BST 25 August
Image source, Getty Images
Sunderland need to be more clinical if they are to keep up with "the standards of the Premier League", says Black Cats midfielder Noah Sadiki, after his side lost 2-0 away to Burnley on Saturday.
"Losing is never a fun part of football," Sadiki told BBC Radio Newcastle post-match at Turf Moor.
"But I think we have a chance to lift it up against Huddersfield and Brentford. Nothing is done - we are not relegated and we are not champions. It's a loss and we can learn from it.
"It might have been a different story [had Eliezer Mayenda and Chemsdine Talbi taken their chances], but if you don't score, you don't win - it's as simple as that. We didn't finish and we weren't clinical, but you can't blame them.
"For the next game, we need to be clinical if we want to win - that's the standards in the Premier League."
When asked how he was finding the step up from the Championship, Sadiki added: "It's a higher level than where I was. I'm happy to be here but I also want to show that I'm here. I'm not here to just hang around - I want to win as many games as possible.
Burnley 2-0 Sunderland - the fans' verdictpublished at 08:14 BST 25 August
08:14 BST 25 August
Media caption,
Captain Cullen scores Burnley's first goal back in the Premier League to help beat Sunderland
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Burnley and Sunderland.
Here are some of your comments:
Burnley fans
Graham: Burnley played much better football in last week's defeat but showed the resilience required to survive in the Premier League. Two excellent goals displayed our resolve, and emphasised that we can make Turf Moor a fortress. That there are players still to come into the team and contribute makes me optimistic.
Reg: Burnley got away with one... defending was below Premier League standard, especially in the first half.
Gareth: Huge result that should give us some confidence for the tough-looking fixtures to come. Excellent game management after we got the first goal, showing organisation and resilience that was horribly lacking in our last season at this level. Promising signs.
Sunderland fans
Jeff: Sunderland always flatter to deceive - maybe it was the 'unknown' factor with the Hammers, but Burnley know how to beat us.
Clive: I thought beforehand this would be a trickier test than last week. Losing Ballard early on didn't help. Huff and puff seemed to be the display.
John: Last week, everything clicked. This week, nothing clicked.
Watch Premier League highlights and analysispublished at 11:34 BST 24 August
11:34 BST 24 August
Pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Sautrday's Premier League fixtures.
Sunderland analysis: Black Cats brought back down to earthpublished at 18:02 BST 23 August
18:02 BST 23 August
Sam Drury BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
After eight years away from the top flight, no one could begrudge Sunderland revelling in their 3-0 victory over West Ham on their Premier League return.
A week on, though, and it is back down to earth with a bump.
While there was the odd moment, the new signings that shone so brightly on the opening day were unable to repeat that display at Turf Moor.
It might have been different had Eliezer Mayenda converted a brilliant chance in the opening four minutes but once that was squandered it quickly became a difficult day for Regis Le Bris' side.
Losing Dan Ballard was a big blow and they will hope the injury to big centre-back is not a serious one.
Even after that, they created a good chance for Chemsdine Talbi but that came in the 14th minute and the concern will be that they did not so much as muster another shot from inside the area until the 81st minute - and no further real chances.
Just two games in and with three points on the board, there is quite clearly no reason to panic but after the bold predictions that followed the victory last week, this was a stark reminder of the harsh reality that lies ahead.
Missed chances will be punished and home form will be crucial.
Burnley 2-0 Sunderland: What Le Bris saidpublished at 17:41 BST 23 August
17:41 BST 23 August
Media caption,
Regis Le Bris spoke to BBC Sport after Sunderland's defeat against Burnley: "We started well, our first half was good. We created two big chances but didn't score. In this game it was really important to get the first goal because it changes everything.
"It is still work in progress because we have a new team and new squad. It is a long process, you need to learn from different experiences. Let's move on.
"We were not strong enough, it is simple to say that - just work more. It will be a different challenge next week.
"We need time. You cannot create strong connections, especially in tight spaces, just after two or three weeks. It is not possible.
"We want to learn quickly, we want to win. We know what went wrong today."
Did you know?
Having been subbed off in the 63rd minute and recording just one pass in his time on the field, Sunderland's Eliezer Mayenda become only the third player on Opta's records (from 2003-04) to play 60+ minutes of a Premier League match and make no more than one pass, after Hameur Bouazza for Watford v Wigan in September 2006, and Brennan Johnson for Nottingham Forest v Brighton in October 2022.
