The fixtures have been announced, so we thought we’d look at the runners and riders for the upcoming season, which will be our fourth consecutive term in League One. Don’t forget we’re doing this in two parts, so here are the first twelve teams...
AFC WIMBLEDON
The Dons managed to stave off relegation last season, finishing four points clear of safety. Sunderland have never been beaten by the new Wimbledon, playing them just five times and winning four. However, they’re always a tricky side to beat and will set up to be defensively solid and extremely physical. George Dobson had a successful loan spell last season, but Wimbledon boss Mark Robinson isn’t hopeful of signing the defensive midfielder permanently.
When we play them
Home: SAT 21st August 2021
Away: SAT 12th Februrary 2022
ACCRINGTON STANLEY
Another team who have never beaten Sunderland, the lads have won four out of the six fixtures between the two sides. Despite starting like a house on fire and looking like real play-off contenders, Accrington ran out of steam and finished mid-table in 11th. Accrington has become notorious in recent years for its great away days, with the open stand and cheap drinks creating the perfect atmosphere for standing in the sun watching footy. It’s no secret that Sunderland should never be in the same division as Accrington Stanley, so Lee Johnson’s men need to make a statement this season and blow them away.
When we play them
Home: SAT 11th September 2021
Away: SAT 15th January 2022
BOLTON WANDERERS
Bolton are similar to Sunderland in many ways. We both have had financial struggles, ownership difficulties and have a fiercely loyal fan base. The Lads haven’t actually beaten Bolton since 2011, although we have played them seven times since then. Wanderers won promotion from League Two last season, and were largely helped by EFL hit man Eoin Doyle. The 33-year-old is such a dangerous weapon, and our leaky defence will have to be on top of its game to keep him at bay. Despite only returning to League One this season, the bookies have made Bolton joint-fifth favourites to win the league!
When we play them
Home: SAT 25th September 2021
Away: SAT 29th January 2022
BURTON ALBION
Burton seem to be our bogey team, and reflect our fall from grace since Premier League relegation. Darren Bent scored for the Brewers to send us down to League One, and since then we’ve really struggled. In five League One fixtures, Sunderland have only one once and lost twice, with two draws. Relegation looked a certainty for the majority of last season, but the appointment of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was an inspired move, saving them from the drop and finishing a respectable 16th. I have no doubt that they’ll be a tricky team for us next season, but these are the matches we need to win if we’re finally going to win the league.
When we play them
Home: TUE 22nd February 2022
Away: TUE 17th August 2021
CAMBRIDGE UNITED
I can’t lie, I’ve never watched Cambridge play and I have no idea how they’ll set up. However, they have got Paul Mullin up front, who had a sensational season last year. He broke the League Two goal scoring record with 32 goals, which earned him the League Two Player of the Season award. A player of his calibre can single-handedly win Cambridge enough points to survive relegation. I’d still fancy us to outscore the U’s, even if Mullin was able to grab a goal. The last time the two teams faced each other, Sunderland won 7-0 away from home in the League Cup!
When we play them
Home: SAT 23rd April 2022
Away: SAT 27th November 2021
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Since beating Charlton in our first League One match, we’ve struggled in every fixture against them. The obvious one that comes to mind is the play-off final, where history repeated itself. They’ve clearly got the mental edge over our players, which worries me for the upcoming season. Since their relegation, they haven’t seemed at their best, just missing out on the play-off places last season, but this time they’ll be looking to kick on and compete financially with clubs like ourselves. Lee Johnson has to right a few wrongs, as our play-off heartbreak will stick in the player’s memories.
When we play them
Home: SAT 23rd October 2021
Away: SAT 5th March 2022
CHELTENHAM TOWN
The League Two champions stand a good chance of survival this season, with the difference of quality between the bottom of League One and the top of League Two not massive. Sunderland have only ever played Cheltenham Town once, in a League Cup fixture in 2005. The lads won that match 1-0, and I expect the same may happen when we play the newly promoted side this season. Cheltenham gave Manchester City a very tough game in the FA Cup, leading for the majority of the game. The Robins won the league last year but will be happy with just surviving relegation, having been out of League One for 12 years.
When we play them
Home: TUE 28th September 2021
Away: TUE 8th February 2022
CREWE ALEXANDRA
Last season, one of Sunderland fans’ most memorable moments was a tremendous strike from Jordan Jones, followed by a last-second volley from Chris Maguire to grab an equaliser. Johnson’s men will be hoping for a more routine match this season, ending in 6 points! Crewe finished 12th this season, surprising many who expected them to be in a relegation dogfight. If they can replicate their form from last time out, the Railwaymen will count it as a success.
When we play them
Home: SAT 12th March 2022
Away: TUE 19th October 2021
DONCASTER ROVERS
Doncaster had a pretty awful season without fans considering past achievements, finishing an underwhelming 14th. Rovers have recently appointed a new manager in Richie Wellens, so will be hoping for a fresh start. Sunderland always seem to perform well against Doncaster for some reason, and the lads are unbeaten against Doncaster in six League One games. They’ve lost former Black Cat Reece James to Blackpool, whose versatility made him a key player at the Keepmoat Stadium. Donny’s captain James Coppinger has also retired, leaving an even bigger hole to fill. They face a huge rebuild job if they want to start competing again for play-off places.
When we play them
Home: SAT 5th February 2022
Away: SUN 26th December 2021
FLEETWOOD TOWN
Sunderland finally got a monkey off their back last season, defeating Fleetwood Town for the first time since being relegated. With our old friend Simon Grayson at the helm, Fleetwood don’t look the same team as under Joey Barton. The Cod Army finished 15th last season, a far cry from the squad that made the play-offs in 2020. Fleetwood’s don’t really have a standout player, and rely more on the team’s performance as a whole to grind out results. I can’t see Grayson inspiring the players to improve on last season’s failures, and they may struggle even more this time round.
When we play them
Home: SAT 1st January 2022
Away: SAT 18th September 2021
GILLINGHAM
Steve Evans’ Gillingham are always hard to beat, especially when they utilise their long throw-in routine. They surprised everyone by pushing for the play-off spots last time out, although the Gills ultimately finished 10th. Midfielder Kyle Dempsey was made club captain in September, despite joining Evans’ men just a month earlier and only being 25 years old. Dempsey is one of the Gills’ most influential players and won their Player of the Season award too.
When we play them
Home: SAT 2nd April 2022
Away: SAT 16th October 2021
IPSWICH TOWN
Since their relegation to League One, Ipswich Town will be bitterly disappointed with their performances. This is a side that can certainly be called a sleeping giant, just like ourselves. The Tractor Boys were once performing at Europe’s highest level, but last season they finished a measly 9th. New manager Paul Cook has a proven track record at this level, and Blues fans will be hoping for him to reinvigorate the team and pull them towards the play-off spots as a bare minimum. They have a monster in goal with the massive 6-foot 9 Tomas Holy, who makes set pieces impossible due to his unbelievable height. However, they have lost key player and academy product Andre Dozzell, who has recently joined QPR. Dozzell was actually sent off against us last season, but he usually enjoys dictating the play and adds quality to the side. He was a fan favourite at Ipswich, so hopefully he is a big miss for them next season.
When we play them
Home: SAT 20th November 2021
Away: SAT 18th December 2021
