Sunderland have confirmed their 2024/25 Championship fixture list this morning.
Sunderland announced the appointment of new head coach Regis Le Bris less than a week ago and now he has discovered who he will be facing first.
The Black Cats are set for a trip to Cardiff City in their opening match, before taking on Sheffield Wednesday, Burnley and Portsmouth to conclude the first month of the campaign.
Le Bris’ side will be hoping to get off to a good start in a new era on at the Stadium of Light, but it could be the end of the season that really defines his first season at the club.
Despite finishing 16th under Mike Dodds, Sunderland will be aiming for a place in the play-offs in a year’s time and will need to finish strongly if they are to earn themselves a place at Wembley and the Premier League.
We have taken a look at how Sunderland’s final fixtures compare to some of their play-off rivals…
Sunderland’s last five fixtures compared to play-off rivals
Sunderland
- Saturday 12th April – Sunderland v Swansea City
- Friday 18th April – Bristol City v Sunderland
- Monday 21st April – Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers
- Saturday 26th April – Oxford United v Sunderland
- Saturday 3rd May – Sunderland v QPR
West Brom
- Saturday 12th April – West Brom v Watford
- Friday 18th April – Coventry v West Brom
- Monday 21st April – West Brom v Derby
- Saturday 26th April – Cardiff v West Brom
- Saturday 3rd May – West Brom v Luton
Hull City
- Saturday 12th April – Hull City v Coventry City
- Friday 18th April – Swansea City v Hull City
- Monday 21st April – Hull City v Preston North End
- Saturday 26th April – Hull City v Derby County
- Saturday 3rd May – Portsmouth v Hull City
Norwich City
- Saturday 12th April – Burnley v Norwich City
- Friday 18th April – Norwich City v Portsmouth
- Monday 21st April – Millwall v Norwich City
- Saturday 26th April – Middlesbrough v Norwich City
- Saturday 3rd May – Norwich City v Cardiff City
Coventry City
- Saturday 12th April – Hull City v Coventry City
- Friday 18th April – Coventry City v West Brom
- Monday 21st April – Plymouth Argyle v Coventry City
- Saturday 26th April – Luton Town v Coventry City
- Saturday 3rd May – Coventry City v Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough
- Saturday 12th April – Millwall v Middlesbrough
- Friday 18th April – Middlesbrough v Plymouth Argyle
- Monday 21st April – Sheffield Wednesday v Middlesbrough
- Saturday 26th April – Middlesbrough v Norwich City
- Saturday 3rd May – Coventry City v Middlesbrough
Championship final fixtures analysed
On paper, Sunderland have one of the easiest final run-ins compared to some of their play-off rivals.
They aren’t facing a single team that finished in the top six last season, while Blackburn and QPR were both battling relegation.
Coventry City have a noticeably difficult final five fixtures – taking on promotion candidates Hull, West Brom and Coventry, as well as relegated side Luton.