The Premier League season kicks off at Portman Road as newly promoted Ipswich host Sunderland, both eager to make an early statement. Gary O’Neil’s side has reinforced with Premier League experience, while Sunderland can call on established names like Granit Xhaka and Brian…
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Sign inIpswich Town mark their return to the Premier League by hosting Sunderland in the opening round of the 2026-27 season on August 22. The Tractor Boys are back in the top flight for the second time in three years, this time under new manager Gary O’Neil, who takes charge of his first competitive fixture for the club. They face a Sunderland side fresh from a record-breaking European qualification campaign under Régis Le Bris.
Ipswich’s pre-season suggests a side built on defensive solidity. A trio of Issa Diop, Dara O’Shea, and Dutch giant Kjell Scherpen has been moulded into a stout defensive unit during the summer. At 6ft 9in, Scherpen is set to become the tallest goalkeeper in Premier League history, adding a commanding presence behind the backline.
Going forward, the picture is less clear. New signing Emersonn looks the only certain starter in attack, with Jaden Philogene currently sidelined through injury. Daizen Maeda and Abdul Fatawu have added running power, while the experienced Chuba Akpom found the net twice in pre-season. O’Neil will need his side to find a cutting edge quickly if they are to avoid repeating the struggles of their last top-flight campaign.
Régis Le Bris faces several defensive concerns ahead of the trip to Portman Road. Centre-back Omar Alderete is set to rejoin full training in the coming days but may not be ready to start, while Nordi Mukiele is in a similar race for fitness. Dan Ballard went down at the end of Sunderland’s final pre-season friendly, a 2-1 comeback win over Stade Rennais, raising the possibility of Luke O’Nien and Jenson Seelt starting at the back.
New signing Thomas Meunier impressed on debut at RC Lens but is being assessed ahead of the opener. Le Bris remained tight-lipped on links to Toulouse left-back Dayann Methalie, stating the situation is “up in the air” while the recruitment team works behind the scenes.
Sunderland concluded their preparations with a 2-1 victory against Rennes, recovering from Esteban Lepaul’s penalty through goals from Brian Brobbey and Trai Hume. Le Bris criticised the first-half intensity but praised a sharper, higher-tempo second period. The Frenchman warned that intensity will be crucial at Ipswich, newly promoted and at home in their first game.
The Black Cats won three of their four pre-season fixtures, keeping clean sheets in two of them. Wilson Isidor could prove a key figure in the early weeks, having scored twice in his last three starts for club and country. Crucially, Sunderland retained the core of last season’s squad, with Granit Xhaka and Brian Brobbey both staying at the Stadium of Light despite reported interest.
Ipswich’s revamped backline, featuring Premier League experience in Diop and O’Shea, will face a stern test against a Sunderland attack that found its rhythm in the second half against Rennes. Trai Hume caused significant problems from wide areas in pre-season, while Brobbey’s physical presence offers a focal point. O’Neil’s likely 4-2-3-1 shape will require discipline from midfielders Florentino Luís and Sasa Lukic to shield the defence against Sunderland’s transitions.
For Sunderland, the potential absence of Ballard and Alderete could leave O’Nien and Seelt exposed against Ipswich’s new attacking arrivals, even if the hosts’ forward line is still bedding in.
Ipswich’s opening-day result will set the tone for a season where survival is the clear priority. O’Neil carries the weight of a sceptical fanbase, given his Norwich connections, and a positive start would go a long way. For Sunderland, building on last season’s European finish begins with avoiding a slow start on the road, before they return to Wearside for their first home fixture of the new campaign.
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