The Brewers are preparing for their second season in the Championship and they will be coming up against six new opponents during the 2017/18 campaign. In this series, we look at the new clubs that will be joining us in the Championship. Last but not least is Sunderland.
Sunderland will be hoping to secure promotion back to the Premier League and they certainly have pedigree in the Championship, having won the league in both seasons that they have played in the second-tier (2004/05, 2006/07).
The Black Cats were relegated from the top-tier of English football after a disappointing 2016/17 season, which saw the side managed by former Manchester United boss David Moyes collect just 24 points from 38 games.
Sunderland’s preparations for the 2017/18 season will likely be based around replacing key personal who have departed this summer, with both Moyes and top-scorer Jermain Defoe having departed the Wear-side club. Sunderland’s home, the Stadium of Light, has a capacity of 49,000, the biggest in the second-tier.
Young goalkeeper Jordan Pickford enjoyed something of a breakout campaign during his team’s relegation season and is rumoured to be in high-demand, with several Premier League clubs thought to be interested in the stopper. Keeping him will be high on the agenda for Sunderland and any move for the ex-Burton loanee will likely be for a sizable fee.
Nigel Clough's father Brian was prolific for Sunderland, scoring 63 goals in 74 games.