Ipswich Town will begin their return to the Premier League on Saturday afternoon when they welcome Sunderland to Portman Road.
Gary O’Neil takes charge of the Tractor Boys for the first time in a competitive fixture after replacing Kieran McKenna, while Sunderland head into their second season back in the top flight after an impressive seventh-place finish last term.
Ipswich Town vs Sunderland – Match preview
Ipswich secured automatic promotion last season after finishing second in the Championship with 84 points, but they have undergone significant changes over the summer. O’Neil has overseen more than £100m of spending on 10 new arrivals as Ipswich look to avoid another immediate return to the second tier.
The Tractor Boys finished pre-season strongly, winning four of their final five friendlies. They also have a positive recent record against Sunderland, having completed the league double over the Black Cats in the 2023-24 Championship campaign. However, Ipswich lost their opening Premier League fixture in each of their last four top-flight seasons and were beaten in their final nine home league matches during their previous Premier League campaign.
Sunderland exceeded expectations after returning to the Premier League last season, finishing seventh and earning qualification for the Europa League. Régis Le Bris has retained the core of that side, with experienced Belgium international Thomas Meunier the only new arrival at the time of the latest squad update.
The Black Cats won four of their six pre-season matches and ended last season with consecutive Premier League victories over Everton and Chelsea. They have also won their opening league fixture in each of the last two campaigns, giving Le Bris reason to believe his side can make another fast start.
The head-to-head record is closely contested. Ipswich won the most recent league meeting 2-1 at Portman Road in January 2024 and also prevailed away from home in that Championship campaign. Sunderland, however, have never lost three consecutive league meetings with the Tractor Boys.
Team News
Ipswich have four players facing late fitness checks. Florentino Luis and Abdul Fatawu are carrying knocks, while Jack Taylor has a knee problem and Azor Matusiwa is nursing a muscular issue. None are confirmed absentees, but their availability could influence O’Neil’s midfield and attacking selections.
O’Neil could hand competitive debuts to several summer recruits, including goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen, defender Issa Diop, midfielder Sasa Lukic, Daizen Maeda and record signing Emersonn. Chuba Akpom is available but is not expected to start.
Sunderland have a cleaner bill of health. Simon Adingra is the only confirmed absentee after suffering an ankle injury, while Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete and Meunier have recovered from minor problems and are available for selection.
Le Bris is expected to retain the core of last season’s side, with Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki anchoring the midfield and Enzo Le Fée operating further forward. Brian Brobbey is expected to lead the attack, while Trai Hume could again be used in an advanced role after featuring as a right winger during pre-season.
Predicted Lineups
Ipswich Town: Kjell Scherpen; Abdoul Ouattara, Dara O’Shea, Issa Diop, Leif Davis; Marcelino Núñez, Sasa Lukic, Sindre Walle Egeli; Abdul Fatawu, Emersonn, Daizen Maeda.
Sunderland: Robin Roefs; Nordi Mukiele, Luke O’Nien, Daniel Ballard, Reinildo Mandava; Noah Sadiki, Granit Xhaka; Trai Hume, Enzo Le Fée, Nilson Angulo; Brian Brobbey.
How to watch Ipswich Town vs Sunderland
- Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
- Kick-off: 3pm BST / 7:30pm IST
- Venue: Portman Road, Ipswich
- UK TV: Not televised live
- UK streaming: Not available live
- Radio: BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2
- India: Star Sports and JioHotstar
The fixture falls within the traditional Saturday 3pm blackout in the UK, meaning it will not be shown live on domestic television or streaming services. Radio coverage will be available through BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2.
What we say: Ipswich Town 1-1 Sunderland
Ipswich should benefit from a packed Portman Road and the momentum of their promotion campaign, but the scale of change under O’Neil makes this a difficult fixture in which to expect immediate fluency.
Sunderland have the advantage of continuity and arrive with considerably more recent Premier League experience. Xhaka gives them authority in midfield, while Brobbey provides a physical focal point capable of testing Ipswich’s new-look defence.
The hosts should create enough pressure to score, particularly with home advantage, but Sunderland’s organisation and familiarity with top-flight football should help them withstand long periods of pressure. Neither side looks sufficiently superior to justify a confident prediction of victory.
Our prediction: Ipswich Town 1-1 Sunderland.
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