Sunderland open their 2026-27 Premier League campaign at Portman Road on Saturday, 22 August, against a newly promoted Ipswich Town side eager to make an immediate impression under Gary O’Neil. The predicted starting lineup of Sunderland reads as a strong, settled-looking eleven, a reflection of how far Regis Le Bris has taken this club. After finishing seventh in their first season back in the top flight and securing a UEFA Europa League spot, the Black Cats arrive with genuine confidence.
Predicted starting lineup of Sunderland
Robin Roefs should get the nod between the sticks. Captain Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, and Enzo Le Fée are all primed to start in midfield, while Brian Brobbey is expected to lead the line. Trai Hume slots in at right back, with the left side covered by Reinildo. Daniel Ballard and Luke O’Nien anchor the central defensive partnership. Out wide, Chemsdine Talbi and Nilson Angulo carry the attacking threat from the flanks, with Le Fée operating just behind Brobbey in the number ten role.
Brobbey, in particular, goes into this fixture in frightening form. The Dutch striker played a prominent frontline role during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring a brace against Sweden, and his sudden burst in transition makes him a constant danger on front-post runs. Ipswich’s relatively inexperienced defensive unit will have to be at their absolute best to contain him.
Injuries and absences
Three players won’t feature at Portman Road. Thomas Meunier, Nordi Mukiele, and Omar Alderete are all set to miss the match through injury. Meunier’s absence is notable given he only joined as a free agent this summer, but his unavailability hands Hume a clear run at the right-back berth without competition for that position.
Led by talismanic midfielder Granit Xhaka and supported by a spine that also includes Daniel Ballard, Noah Sadiki, and Brian Brobbey, Sunderland have developed a formula that consistently gives opponents a serious headache. Le Bris won’t reinvent anything here. He knows what this group does well, and the predicted starting lineup of Sunderland against Ipswich Town reflects exactly that pragmatic, structured approach he’s built over the past 12 months at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Robin Roefs – Trai Hume, Luke O’Nien, Daniel Ballard, Reinildo – Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki – Chemsdine Talbi, Enzo Le Fée, Nilson Angulo – Brian Brobbey.
