Luis Hemir does brilliantly to win the ball for Sunderland while outnumbered on the left and feed Dan Neil, whose skiddy low drive deflects wide.

The corner is absorbed, and Vaclav Hladky appears to have calmed down after a skittish start in the Tractor Boys goal.

Sunderland winger Jack Clarke and Ipswich defender Janoi Donacien are already engaged in a personal duel on the left/right respectively.

The Black Cats winger is taking him on frequently, and they're having to double up.

Dan Ballard at the other end tracks and mops up a long ball forward. But Ipswich just starting to find a bit of a passing rhythm as the Sunderland defender's clearance is regathered.

Alex Mathie
Ex-Ipswich Town striker on BBC Radio Suffolk

With this crowd behind them, Sunderland are really pressurising the Ipswich defence.

It's all Sunderland just now.

Jack Clarke drifts a harmless free-kick in which clears the box and sails out for a throw. And to think I started a new entry just for that.

Busy from the hosts.

Image source, Getty Images

Ipswich haven't really had time or possession to build any attack whereas Sunderland are moving the ball through the lines with sharpness and skill.

Patrick Roberts is swarmed upon again, by Leif Davis and Sam Morsy on the right, and wins a free-kick. More threat here for the visitors.

Sustained pressure on the Ipswich goal.

Great move from Sunderland, as a beautiful pass wide to Jack Clarke is dummied by Luis Hemir and Clarke stings in a cross which tests the wrists of Vaclav Hladky.

Then Jobe Bellingham's cross is blocked behind, but the corner is not up to scratch and Ipswich survive.

Pierre Ekwah tiptoes the tightrope of what is legal with a bustling challenge which leaves George Hirst sprawling as he races forward for Ipswich.

Sunderland's Frenchman gets away with it. Just as Egypt international Sam Morsy does for Ipswich when leaving his mark at the other end.

Brusque fare. Sam Barrott letting the game flow so far.

Alex Mathie
Ex-Ipswich Town striker on BBC Radio Suffolk

I think Ipswich will do OK this season.

But one thing they have got to do is be more clinical. They won't get four or five chances like they did last season. They might get one or two and they will have to take them.

That's the difference as you move up the levels.

Really sprightly start from Sunderland who pounce on Vaclav Hladky's poor pass out and Jack Clarke gets a free-kick from the foul by Janoi Donacien.

Edge of the box, left hand side. Ipswich head it away from Sam Morsy.

Plenty of intent from the Black Cats.

Patrick Roberts hares down the right for Sunderland after a break from deep but the Ipswich defence steps up and swarms him out.

What an atmosphere.

The last of the opening weekend games will complete the pack.

Huddles complete. Respectful handshakes performed.

Sam Barrott is our referee.

Ipswich get us up and running.

Alex Mathie
Ex-Ipswich Town striker on BBC Radio Suffolk

This is a fantastic occasion - it's like being back in the big time with a full stadium.

It's what we've wanted for a number of seasons and let's hope we do ourselves justice. I'm sure we will.

Gary Bennett
Ex-Sunderland defender on BBC Radio Newcastle

We look at the quality that has come out of the Premier League and the division is going to be a lot tougher than it was last season.

This is going to be a test but hopefully we'll show we're not a one-season wonder with the type of football we play.

Everyone knows how we play, but you have to be brave and have belief in how we play. The addition is we now have a couple of strikers who can put the ball in the net.

Teams are in the tunnel.

Prokofiev is playing over the PA.

The roar will greet the players soon. What a way to kick off the stadium.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

After four years in League One Ipswich return to the second tier with serious momentum and a fair proportion of their fans believing they can mount a challenge for back-to-back promotions.

Having ended last season on a 19-game unbeaten run, Town have strengthened over the summer with the permanent signings of Peterborough midfielder Jack Taylor and Leicester striker George Hirst, while Chelsea attacker Omari Hutchinson looks an exciting loan addition.

There’ll undoubtedly be more new faces before the transfer window closes, with the club’s financial situation significantly healthier than it was when they were relegated.

Although boss Kieran McKenna’s a rookie when it comes to Championship football, he’s barely put a foot wrong since arriving from Manchester United.

As well as bringing his Premier League methods and standards to Suffolk he’s also helped generate a terrific spirit within the squad – all factors which should serve them very well again.

Nick Barnes
BBC Newcastle's Sunderland commentator

Expectations at the Stadium of Light have been heightened by last season’s sixth-placed finish but this season the division looks tougher and, with speculation surrounding the futures of Ross Stewart, Jack Clarke and Patrick Roberts, there is an air of tempered optimism - with fears Sunderland’s best players will depart and suitable replacements will be thin on the ground.

However, last season expectations at the start of the season were low and Sunderland punched heavily above their weight - without a recognised striker for much of the season and no defenders at its close.

Tony Mowbray appears quite sanguine and pre-season results have been positive, albeit while they have scored a number of goals they have been conceding, but the backline should become more settled once the season starts. There is no lack of candidates at that end of the pitch. The worry once again comes up front.

Sunderland bring in Luis Hemir Semedo and Jobe Bellingham for their starting debuts. while Nathan Bishop and Nectarios Triantis are among the subs. Dan Ballard also makes his return from injury.

Ipswich have Conor Chaplin, George Hirst and Nathan Broadhead up top, with Freddie Ladapo off the bench, and Chelsea loanee Omari Hutchinson on the bench.

Sunderland: Patterson, Hume, Ballard, O'Nien (c), Cirkin, Neil, Ekwah, Roberts, Jobe, Clarke, Semedo

Subs: Bishop, Rigg, Triantis, Pritchard, Bennette, Ba, Gooch, Batth, Huggins

Ipswich: Hladky, Donacien, Woolfenden, Burgess, Burns, Morsy (c), Luongo, Davis, Chaplin, Hirst, Broadhead

Subs: Slicker, Leigh, Ball, Evans, Taylor, Harness, Hutchinson, Jackson, Ladapo

Image source, Getty Images

Marcus Stewart is the guest of honour for today's game, as both Sunderland and Ipswich come together to raise money for research in Motor Neurone Disease through the Darby Rimmer Foundation.

Bristol-born Stewart was a teammate of current Black Cats boss Mowbray when Ipswich beat Barnsley in the 2000 Division One play-off final and scored 34 goals in 89 games.

He also scored 34 goals at Sunderland and was part of their promotion-winning side of 2004-05 that made their way into the top flight.

There is no doubt he will get a brilliant reception from all areas of the Stadium of Light this afternoon.

Image source, Getty Images

Only the silverware of the League One title eluded Ipswich Town last season in terms of success for Kieran McKenna's men, in a campaign of terrific achievement.

They racked up 101 goals with a plus-66 goal difference, lost just four games and won 28 to finish second and continue the excellent progress since McKenna was appointed in December 2021.

Conor Chaplin and Freddie Ladapo contributed 50 goals between them up top, ably assisted with nine and eight by Marcus Harness and Wes Burns from midfield.

The Tractor Boys have opted for subtle additions rather than overhaul, as they squad that brought success last season is given the chance to prove itself.

Image source, Getty Images

You could have forgiven Sunderland fans for thinking their season might nosedive when Alex Neil departed for Stoke just six league and cup games in last year.

Tony Mowbray's appointment might not have eased those fears either, but the end result was that the 59-year-old from Redcar had a rejuvenating impact that could scarcely have been dreamed of.

Mowbray's young squad reached the Championship play-offs with a dynamic, attractive style of play, making use of Manchester United's loanee talent Amad Diallo alongside Patrick Roberts and Jack Clarke.

Diallo has gone, as has Edouard Michut, but there is still a good nucleus of that squad that remains at the Stadium of Light. With bumper crowds expected again this term, the infrastructure is there.

Whether they can avoid 'second season syndrome' is one thing. And, having top scorer Ross Stewart fit a bit more frequently could also help after an injury-hit campaign. He managed 11 goals in 17 when he did get out there.