Sunderland return to the Stadium of Light this afternoon looking to reclaim their home dominance and secure a first top-flight victory over Fulham on Wearside since 2009.
The Black Cats have moved into a challenging phase of their successful return to the Premier League, recently suffering consecutive defeats against Arsenal and Liverpool. The 1–0 loss to the Merseysiders was particularly poignant, as it ended Sunderland’s impressive 12-match unbeaten start to the campaign in front of their own supporters. Despite this, Régis Le Bris’s side remains firmly in mid-table, currently sitting 11th and just four points off the European places.
Fulham, meanwhile, travel to the Northeast seeking to arrest a sharp decline in form that has seen them lose four of their last five league matches. Marco Silva’s men are currently on a three-game losing streak, most recently falling 3–0 to Manchester City. Now sitting just two points behind Sunderland, the Cottagers have the chance to leapfrog their hosts and reignite their own push for a top-half finish.
Sunderland vs Fulham – Match preview and team news
- Date: Sunday, 22 February 2026
- Kick-off: 14:00 GMT
- Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
- Referee: Craig Pawson
- VAR: Tony Harrington
- Last Meeting: Fulham 1–0 Sunderland (22 Nov 2025), Premier League
Team News
Sunderland
Régis Le Bris confirmed a major boost with the return of captain Granit Xhaka, who is back in contention after recovering from an ankle injury. However, the Black Cats will be without Reinildo, who is sidelined for approximately four weeks with a knee issue sustained against Liverpool. Bertrand Traoré also remains unavailable as he edges closer to a return from his own knee problem.
Fulham
Marco Silva is contending with the “painful” loss of Samuel Chukwueze, who is out with a calf injury picked up against Manchester City. Midfielders Saša Lukić and Tom Cairney have returned to training, though Lukić may find this weekend’s trip comes too soon. The Cottagers remain without long-term absentees as they look to build on their recent FA Cup success over Stoke City.
Form
Sunderland
The Black Cats have hit their first real rough patch of the season, losing four of their last six Premier League games. This run is a stark contrast to their opening 20 matches, where they suffered only four defeats in total. Notably, the recent losses to Arsenal and Liverpool marked the first time this term they have lost consecutive league fixtures. However, their defensive record remains strong; despite facing nearly 15 shots per game, they have conceded the joint-4th fewest goals in the division.
Fulham
The Cottagers arrive on Wearside full of determination to break a three-game losing streak in which they have conceded at least two goals each time. Notably, Fulham have been inconsistent on the road lately, enduring a four-match winless spell away from Craven Cottage. They are, however, aiming to complete a rare league double over Sunderland for the first time since 2002–03. The creative threat of Harry Wilson will be vital, as he leads the side with five match-winning goals this season.
Predicted Lineups
Sunderland Predicted XI: Rufs; Mukiele, Ballard, Geertruida, Cirkin; Diarra, Sadiki; Hume, Le Fée, Angulo; Brobbey
Fulham Predicted XI: Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Iwobi, Berge; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Kevin; Jimenez
How to Watch Sunderland vs Fulham?
The match will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League. Coverage is scheduled to begin ahead of the 14:00 GMT kick-off.
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