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Opta rates Sunderland’s opening five fixtures among Premier League’s toughest
Jul 25 2026 20:49 · By onefootball.com · 19 Reads
Opta’s power rankings place Sunderland’s opening five Premier League fixtures among the toughest, with an opponents’ average of 93.2. That ranks the Black Cats 19th, with only Bournemouth facing a higher figure at 93.3.
According to Sunderland Echo, the analysis uses Opta’s global Power Rankings, scoring teams from zero to 100 to average opposition strength, with Arsenal currently rated 100.0 and Hull City 82.2.
Sunderland begin at Ipswich Town, then host Fulham, travel to Brentford, welcome Arsenal, then visit Manchester City.
At the other end of the scale, Manchester United have the lowest early opponents’ average at 89.3, with Newcastle at 89.9 and Liverpool at 90.7.
The new campaign is just over a month away. Regis Le Bris’ side have begun pre-season with a big win at York City and now head to the United States to face Liverpool, Leeds United and Wrexham. Last season’s seventh place secured a first Europa League entry.
Source: Sunderland Echo