Sunderland take on Blackburn Rovers in this year’s Boxing Day fixture, and we’ve taken a look back in time at the Black Cats’ last five festive games.
It’s been a great first half of the season for Sunderland, but Regis Le Bris’ men will be looking to end the year on a high now.
They’ll face a stern test against Blackburn Rovers, though, who are one of the most in-form teams in the Championship now.
Still, you have to go back to 2017 for Sunderland’s last Boxing Day defeat, a 3-0 drubbing at Bramall Lane, and the Black Cats have a brilliant record around this time of year.
Sunderland’s last five Boxing Day results
Over the last five Boxing Day games, Sunderland have dropped points just once, and have only conceded one goal across the five fixtures. Funnily enough, that goal came against Blackburn Rovers just two years ago.
Hull City 0-1 Sunderland (2023)
Sunderland defeated Hull City a year ago, thanks to a late goal from former fan favourite, Jack Clarke. That was the Black Cats’ first win in two games over the festive period, with defeats to Bristol City and Coventry City preceding the win on Humberside.
Sunderland 2-1 Blackburn Rovers (2022)
Sunderland fell behind to Blackburn through a Ross Stewart own goal after 18 minutes, but just four minutes later they were back on level terms, with Stewart making amends through a penalty conversion.
Ellis Simms won it for Sunderland in injury time, and the Mackems will be happy for a similar result this year against the same opponents.
Doncaster Rovers 0-3 Sunderland (2021)
Back in 2021, Sunderland were fighting their way out of League One. Although this game technically took place on the 27th December, we’ll still count it in our records.
Goals from Ross Stewart, Elliot John Embleton, and an own goal for Doncaster helped Sunderland seal an easy win away from home to deliver the perfect late Christmas gift for the travelling fans.
Sunderland 0-0 Bolton Wanderers (2019)
There was no Boxing Day game in 2020 due to Covid-19, so we have to skip a year and head back to 2019. Another League One fixture here, and Sunderland fans had to endure a boring goalless draw at the Stadium of Light against Bolton Wanderers.
Sunderland 1-0 Bradford City (2018)
An Aiden McGeady goal was enough to see off Bradford City back in 2018, with Sunderland starting to adjust to life in League One. It was the perfect remedy after Sunderland’s 3-1 defeat to Portsmouth just days earlier.
This result was the start of Sunderland’s impressive Boxing Day run, and they’ll hope they can once again avoid defeat, and maybe even keep a clean sheet, this time around against a very impressive Blackburn side.
The game between Sunderland and Blackburn is scheduled for a 3pm kick-off at Ewood Park on December 26, 2024.