Sunderland go dey aim to win their first two Premier League home games for just the second time ever as dem welcome Brentford for Stadium of Light this Saturday afternoon.
Both teams get three points each from dem opening two matches, but dem waka go different direction for midweek EFL Cup – Sunderland don commot as Huddersfield knack dem, while Brentford clear Bournemouth commot.
Match Preview
Sunderland start season with big ginger as dem knack West Ham 3-0 for opening match, but the joy no last. Last weekend Burnley burst dem bubble 2-0 as Jaidon Anthony and Josh Cullen turn up with one goal and one assist each.
To add salt join injury, Huddersfield still send dem packing for EFL Cup, even though Marc Guiu score late header to drag the match reach penalties. In the end, the Terriers still win shootout.
Some fans go see that cup exit as blessing in disguise, because e go free Sunderland to focus on league until FA Cup show early next year.
If coach Regis Le Bris fit lead dem to another home win on Saturday, e go be just the second time for their Premier League history wey dem go start with back-to-back home victories, the first time na 2001-02 season under Peter Reid.
On the other side, Brentford dey move with steady momentum after dem first-day defeat. Keith Andrews side bounce back with 1-0 win against Aston Villa, new boy Dango Ouattara score on debut.
Dem still follow up with 2-0 win against Bournemouth for EFL Cup, thanks to goals from Fabio Carvalho and Igor Thiago.
Brentford no dey fear road games – na dem collect pass points away from home for Premier League this 2025 calendar year.
Dem also dey on eight-game winning streak against newly-promoted teams, scoring 28 goals and conceding just six for that run.
History dey with dem too, because Sunderland never beat Brentford for their last five meetings, even though this one go be the first clash since 2018.
Form Guide
Sunderland Premier League form:
W L
Sunderland form (all competitions):
W L L
Brentford Premier League form:
L W
Brentford form (all competitions):
L W W
Team News
Sunderland don lose key defender Daniel Ballard to groin injury wey go keep am out till after September international break. Aji Alese (shoulder), Dennis Cirkin (wrist), Luke O’Nien (shoulder), Leo Fuhr Hjelde (calf) and Romain Mundle (thigh) still dey injured list.
Niall Huggins carry small groin knock for midweek, but reports dey say he don return to training. New signing Nordi Mukiele fit start him first Premier League game at right-back, while Jenson Seelt go slot into centre-back.
For Brentford side, Frank Onyeka carry small knock against Bournemouth, but e no too serious. Still, he dey among five fitness wahala players wey include Vitaly Janelt (ankle), Gustavo Nunes (thigh), Paris Maghoma (thigh) and Yunus Konak (ankle).
Yoane Wissa dey push for transfer move go Newcastle, so coach Keith Andrews don confirm say him no dey available.
Sunderland possible lineup:
Roefs; Mukiele, Seelt, Alderete, Reinildo; Diarra, Xhaka, Sadiki; Talbi, Mayenda, Adingra
Brentford possible lineup:
Kelleher; Kayode, Collins, Van den Berg, Lewis-Potter; Henderson, Yarmolyuk; Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade; Thiago
Prediction
We say: Sunderland 1-2 Brentford
Brentford dey show better balance under coach Andrews, and with Ballard absent, Sunderland don lose one of their biggest weapons for defence and set-pieces.
The Bees dey enjoy good form against promoted teams, and we believe dem go carry the three points for Stadium of Light.