Sunderland vs Fulham
Isidor seals narrow Sunderland win
A solitary strike from W. Isidor secures all three points for Sunderland.
Sunderland edged out Fulham 1-0 thanks to W. Isidor's decisive goal after the break at 75 minutes. The match was a tight affair with little to separate the sides until Isidor's strike broke the deadlock. Fipster's low-confidence prediction of a Sunderland win proved accurate, though the margin was as slender as expected.
Outcome probability
The 2026 football season kicks off with Sunderland facing Fulham in what promises to be a closely contested encounter. Both teams are eager to start their campaigns on a strong note after the summer break.
Key facts
- 1.Sunderland have made no major transfers this summer, maintaining squad continuity.
- 2.Fulham have signed S. Charles ahead of the new season.
- 3.The predicted final score is 1-0 in favour of Sunderland.
- 4.The halftime score is expected to be 1-0, consistent with the fulltime prediction.
- 5.Approximately three yellow cards are anticipated during the match.
- 6.This is the first league match of the 2026 season for both teams.
- 7.Sunderland are ranked 7th and Fulham 11th in the previous season's league standings.
The context
Sunderland and Fulham enter this fixture with fresh squads and renewed ambitions. Notably, Fulham have bolstered their ranks with the arrival of S. Charles, aiming to add some spark to their lineup. Sunderland, meanwhile, have maintained stability with no major transfers in or out, hoping continuity will serve them well.
Analysis
The prediction leans towards a Sunderland victory, with a 1-0 scoreline being the most probable outcome. The home side is expected to take an early lead and hold on, reflecting a tight defensive display. The match is also anticipated to be moderately physical, with around three cards likely to be shown. Fulham's new signing could provide some attacking impetus, but Sunderland's cohesion might just edge the balance.
Prediction
Expect Sunderland to lead at halftime and maintain their advantage through to fulltime, clinching a 1-0 win. The game should be competitive but ultimately controlled by the home side, who will aim to start their season with a clean sheet and three points.
The verdict
This opening fixture sets the tone for both teams' seasons. Sunderland will be pleased to get off to a winning start, while Fulham will look to build on their new additions in upcoming matches. Fans can anticipate a disciplined and tactical battle with Sunderland narrowly coming out on top.
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
Andersen
Yellow Card
Palacios
Yellow Card
Angulo
Brobbey
Bobb
Castagne
Isidor
Assist: Diarra
Palacios
Diarra
Berge
Le Fée
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Manchester City | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 6 |
| 10 |  Manchester United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| 11 |  Sunderland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 12 |  Ipswich | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 3 |
| 15 |  Nottingham Forest | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| 16 |  Fulham | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| 17 |  Coventry | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -4 | 0 |
Match Statistics
Sunderland
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 5D. BallardD
- 9B. BrobbeyF
- 10N. AnguloM
- 12T. MeunierD
- 17ReinildoD
- 20N. MukieleD
- 22R. RoefsG
- 27N. SadikiM
- 28E. Le FéeM
- 32T. HumeM
- 34G. XhakaM
Substitutes
- 7C. TalbiF
- 11C. RiggM
- 13L. O'NienM
- 14R. MundleF
- 15O. AldereteD
- 18W. IsidorF
- 19H. DiarraM
- 31M. EllborgG
Fulham
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 1B. LenoG
- 3C. BasseyD
- 5J. AndersenD
- 7Gonzalo GarcíaF
- 8César PalaciosM
- 14Oscar BobbM
- 16S. BergeM
- 17A. IwobiM
- 21T. CastagneD
- 24Joshua KingM
- 33A. RobinsonD
Substitutes
- 4Jorge CuencaD
- 6H. ReedM
- 9Rodrigo MunizF
- 11KevinF
- 19S. CharlesM
- 23B. LecomteG
- 30R. SessegnonM
- 32E. Smith RoweM
- 35M. ZepaF
Sunderland
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granit Xhaka(C) | M | 94 | 8.3 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 0/1 |
| Nordi Mukiele | D | 94 | 7.9 | — | — | — | — | — | 2/2 |
| Reinildo Mandava | D | 94 | 7.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Noah Sadiki | M | 94 | 7.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Daniel Ballard | D | 94 | 7.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Nilson Angulo | M | 65 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3/4 |
| Enzo Le Fée | M | 90 | 6.9 | — | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1/2 |
| Trai Hume | M | 94 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0/1 |
| Robin Roefs | G | 94 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Thomas Meunier | D | 94 | 6.6 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Brian Brobbey | F | 64 | 6.6 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Omar Alderete | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Luke O'Nien | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Melker Ellborg | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Romaine Mundle | F | 4 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Chemsdine Talbi | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Wilson Isidor | F | 30 | 7.2 | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — |
| Habib Diarra | M | 18 | 7.0 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 0/1 |
| Chris Rigg | M | 11 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Fulham
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Iwobi | M | 94 | 7.2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0/1 |
| Calvin Bassey(C) | D | 94 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Joachim Andersen | D | 94 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Gonzalo García | F | 94 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1/1 |
| Antonee Robinson | D | 94 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/2 |
| Timothy Castagne | D | 68 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sander Berge | M | 83 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — |
| César Palacios | M | 77 | 6.3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2/3 |
| Oscar Bobb | M | 68 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0/2 |
| Joshua King | M | 94 | 5.9 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3/7 |
| Bernd Leno | G | 94 | 5.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Jorge Cuenca | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Harrison Reed | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Benjamin Lecomte | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Rodrigo Muniz | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Macauley Zepa | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ryan Sessegnon | M | 26 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | 2/2 |
| Emile Smith Rowe | M | 17 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Shea Charles | M | 26 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kevin | F | 11 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |