Sunderland will supported by a sell-out away crowd when they travel to the King Power Stadium to face off against Leicester City on the opening day of the Premier League season.
Over 3000 Black Cat fans are expected to make the trip to the Midlands to see Dick Advocaat’s side kick off their ninth consecutive season in the top flight of English football.
The northerners will be looking to finally get a win over the Foxes, with both matches last season finishing in goalless draws.
Steady start to the season
It is a favourable opening to the Premier League season for Sunderland, when they kick off their home campaign the week after - newly promoted Norwich City travel to the Stadium of Light on Saturday August 15.
Advocaat will be looking to extend their unbeaten home record over Norwich to seven games, with Alex Neil’s side failing to win on Wearside since 1997.
The following Saturday they will welcome Garry Monk’s Swansea City to the North-East. Swansea, who have recently been linked with a move for Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher, have had a tough time when they have come up against Sunderland on their home turf - winning just twice in 2014 and 1982.
Topsy-turvy pre-season
Before the big kick-off Advocaat’s side still have some work to do in the final stages of their pre-season preparations. Having secured a win over Darlington in their first pre-season match they travelled west for a tour of the United States, which saw defeats to Sacramento Republic and Club de Futbol Pachuca.
However they rounded up their tour across the pond with a great victory over MLS side Toronto FC and will be hoping to take that form into their final two pre-season matches against Sky Bet League 1 side Doncaster Rovers and the Bundesliga’s Hannover 96.
Two new signings are expected to make debut on Wednesday night with defender Younes Kaboul and winger Jeremain Lens seemingly set to start at the Keepmoat Stadium against Doncaster.