Premier League: Sunderland vs Brentford preview 08/30/2025


Event Details

  • Fixture: Sunderland vs Brentford — Premier League, Gameweek 3
  • Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 30 August 2025 at 15:00 BST (3 pm UK time)
  • Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland — renowned for its passionate and loud home atmosphere

Broadcast & Live Streaming

  • UK Viewers: The match kicks off at 3 pm on Saturday, falling under the traditional blackout window—not televised live. Fans will have to wait for highlights, typically available on Sky Sports (app from 5:15 pm BST) or BBC’s Match of the Day later in the evening.
  • Global Coverage: Specific international broadcasters weren’t detailed in available sources—fans are advised to check local listings or official Premier League broadcast partners in their region.

Team News

Sunderland

  • Injury Concerns: Multiple defensive absences cloud team selection:
    • Out: Daniel Ballard (groin), Aji Alese (shoulder), Dennis Cirkin, Luke O’Nien, Leo Fuhr Hjelde, Romain Mundle.
    • Doubtful: Niall Huggins (groin)

  • Shake-Up in Defense: With key center-back Ballard out until after the September international break, manager Régis Le Bris plans a reshuffle: Nordi Mukiele shifts to right-back, while Jenson Seelt and Omar Alderete pair centrally, alongside Reinildo Mandava and keeper Robin Roefs

  • Season Form: Sunderland began with a spectacular 3–0 home win over West Ham but followed that with a 2–0 loss away at Burnley and an disappointing Carabao Cup exit to Huddersfield on penalties

  • Key Player: Young striker Marc Guiu, who scored on debut, adds positivity—and Eliezer Mayenda looks eager to make amends after a poor outing

Brentford

  • Momentum: Managed by newly appointed Keith Andrews, Brentford entered Gameweek 3 on the back of a 1–0 win over Aston Villa, following a 3–1 defeat to Nottingham Forest earlier in the season
  • Squad Dynamics: Forward Yoane Wissa is expected to miss the match due to a transfer saga—he’s pushing for a move and has been left out of squads

Likely Lineups & Tactical Outlook

Sunderland (Predicted 4-3-3)

Based on injury updates and tactical need:

  • Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs
  • Defense (R to L): Mukiele, Seelt, Alderete, Reinildo
  • Midfield: Sadiki, Granit Xhaka, Diarra
  • Attack: Talbi, Mayenda, Adingra

Brentford (Probable 4-2-3-1)

Not officially confirmed, but likely shaped by recent form and tactics:

  • Goalkeeper: Kelleher
  • Defense: Henry, van den Berg, Collins, Kayode
  • Midfield: Jensen, Yarmolyuk; Carvalho, Milambo, Lewis-Potter ahead
  • Striker: Igor Thiago

Head-to-Head & Historical Context

  • Premier League First: This marks the first-ever meeting between these clubs in the Premier League

  • Overall Record: In past 3 match-ups across competitions, Brentford won twice and one resulted in a draw

  • Key Trends:
    • Sunderland boast a strong home defensive record, conceding just 0.77 goals per game at the Stadium of Light over their last 26 league matches

    • Brentford excel away from home—they remain undefeated in 10 of their last 12 away games, and remain dangerous on counterattack