The last time Sunderland won away from home in the Premier League was late October, four months ago to the day.
Still, a strong record at home and a fantastic start to life back in the top flight have ensured that Regis Le Bris’ side have a bit of breathing space above the relegation zone, but there’s no question that a continuation of the miserable form of the past several weeks could change the narrative for the newly-promoted team.
But with an ostensibly favourable run of fixtures coming up in the Premier League, the Black Cats need to take advantage and cross that precious 40-point mark, securing another season at the top.
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Sunderland’s Upcoming Premier League Fixtures |
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|---|---|---|
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Date |
Opponent |
Corresponding Result |
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28/02/26 |
Bournemouth (A) |
3-2 win |
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03/03/26 |
Leeds (A) |
1-1 draw |
|
14/03/26 |
Brighton (H) |
0-0 draw |
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22/03/26 |
Newcastle (A) |
1-0 win |
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11/04/26 |
Tottenham (H) |
1-1 draw |
|
18/04/26 |
Aston Villa (A) |
1-1 draw |
However, hopes and desires for the ascendancy may be dashed by their injury luck, or lack thereof.
Last weekend’s Stadium of Light defeat to Fulham was sobering, an illustration of wasteful finishing, and the loss was aggravated by an injury to focal frontman Brian Brobbey.
The latest on Brobbey’s fitness
Brobbey, 24, has made a real nuisance of himself for Sunderland this season,
Take, for example, the recent defeat against Liverpool at the Stadium of Light. Brobbey did not enjoy his finest hour, by any stretch, but he still embraced a war of physicality against Ibrahima Konate, the final third becoming a battleground.
That presence is not something every Premier League club can boast. The Dutchman’s hold-up play is so important for Le Bris’ offensive system, and while the French manager was reluctant to make claims over the severity of his injury, he did admit he was concerned.
Sunderland are unlikely to be pulled into the thick of a relegation scrap, but with four defeats from five in the top flight, there’s no question that a turn of form would settle stomachs across Wearside, ensuring the strong work of the season does not come to nought.
Brobbey has scored five goals from 22 Premier League games this season, but his work rate tells more of his importance than his goal tally.
If he’s out for a while, the northern side are going to need to play their cards right when replacing him.
The Sunderland “machine” who can replace Brobbey
Wilson Isidor was one of the driving forces behind Sunderland’s promotion charge last season. A “one-man machine”, said Sky Sports reporter Dougie Critchley, the Frenchman is powerful and a nuisance for defenders. Last season, his role was a crucial one.
However, he hasn’t enjoyed a talismanic role in the Premier League, instead part of Le Bris’ supporting cast. But the stage setting for success has been in place for months now, and he has already shown his capacity as a strong line-leader in the Premier League.
Isidor has played second fiddle this season, but he’s still a capable striker with the strength and underrated skill to step into Brobbey’s boots, should he really be set for a spell on the sidelines.
Harking back to Sunderland’s looming run of games, there’s no question that Le Bris cannot afford to emerge with nothing more than a smattering of points, with a tighter knot of fixtures to untangle in May, but nonetheless, Isidor could be the key, stepping up and taking charge when his team need him, much like last year.
Across 11 Premier League starts, he has scored four goals and has only missed two big chances. Sunderland’s recent profligacy could be overturned through Isidor finding form, though his wider game has admittedly left something to be desired.
But that’s why he hasn’t been the designated number one. Even so, Isidor has shown he has what it takes. He created nine big chances in the Championship last term, mobile and ferocious at number nine.
Le Bris has created something special at Sunderland. The team is greater than the sum of its parts, and while Isidor is not the best centre-forward in England, he knows how to perform in this system, and he could be the perfect weapon to wield over these next few fixtures, should Brobbey be out of action.
Worse than Brobbey: Le Bris must drop Sunderland star who lost 89% duels v Fulham
Regis Le Bris must drop this Sunderland flop who was worse than Brian Brobbey against Fulham.