On Friday night, Sunderland kick-off their Championship campaign by hosting Derby at the Stadium of Light, as the home side look to make a winning start to the season after relegation from the Premier League.
The home side has undergone major changes in the summer. Simon Grayson replaced David Moyes as the Black Cats boss, while the playing personnel also underwent a major overhaul. The north east side lost star duo Jordan Pickford and Jermain Defoe to Everton and Bournemouth respectively.
However, Grayson has signed the likes of Aidan McGeady, James Vaughan and Lewis Grabban this summer, who are all experienced in the lower levels of the English league.
Last season was a nightmare campaign for the Blacks Cats. Even their usually strong home form deserted them in the campaign, as they failed to win any of their last 11 home games in the Premier League.
The Black Cats are ten games unbeaten on home soil in the Championship. However, their last stint in the second tier was nearly a decade ago.
Derby finished last season in poor fashion, winning just one of their last five Championship games. However, boss Gary Rowett is highly rated and expectations are high for a good season at the Midlands club.
The Rams head into this clash on the back of friendly defeats against Northampton and Hoffenheim. However, prior to those defeat, Rowett’s side have previously recorded three consecutive wins in pre-season.
The visitors form on the road is a concern, as the Rams have won just one of their last nine games on their travels in the second tier, suffering six defeats in the process.
The Midlands outfit will need to address their poor form on the road if they are to mount a genuine promotion push this season.
Forebet predicts that Sunderland will begin life back in the Championship with a victory and finally give the Stadium of Light faithful something to cheer.