00:00Right then, it is here. The Premier League fixtures are out. Sunderland are finally back in the big time after eight long years.
00:08But make no mistake, it is going to be a battle. And when you look at the fixture list, December is absolutely brutal.
00:16So first impressions, I would say it's a pretty kind start. There's a chance to build some momentum.
00:21West Ham at home, pick up early points, really ease into life back in the top flight.
00:26And it will be tough, but I think there's some winnable fixtures within those first couple of games.
00:32Obviously, Brentford at home as well after they lost Thomas Frank. So it's a relatively kind start for Sunderland.
00:38We don't play any team from the so-called Big Six until October 4th against Manchester United.
00:45But there's still some tough fixtures in there. But then comes December.
00:50Now let's take a second to talk about this nightmare of a month. Here's the run.
00:55Liverpool away on the third. Manchester City away on the sixth.
01:00Newcastle United at home on the 13th. Brighton away on the 20th.
01:05Leeds United at home on the 27th. Then Manchester City at home on the 30th.
01:10And to round it off, Spurs away on January 3rd.
01:14That is a horror show for a newly promoted team. It could be season-defining.
01:19We're going to have to be right physically, mentally, the lot.
01:22Because if you don't come out of that with some points, it could be curtains before the second half of the season even starts.
01:28December and January are such crucial months. It can be where a title challenge is made or broken.
01:34And where a relegation survival fight is made or broken.
01:37I'm going to have a look at the six key games I think are crucial to Sunderland's survival in the Premier League.
01:45West Ham on the opening day, August 16th. First home game.
01:49It's, you know, at the Stadium of Light, it's going to be bouncing.
01:52If we can get a win like we did against Spurs on the opening day back under Kino in 2007, I think it was Michael Chopra.
01:59It could lift everything. You get that confidence. You get that belief.
02:02Brentford at home on August 30th. Another opportunity.
02:07Brentford could be vulnerable, you know. No Thomas Frank.
02:10They're going to lose a couple of players as well.
02:12It might be the perfect time to catch them cold. Perhaps I'm reading too much into that. I don't know.
02:17Newcastle at home. It's a big one. December 13th.
02:21Tyne Weir Derby. The first league Tyne Weir Derby in eight years.
02:24Or Weir Tyne Derby, I should say.
02:26In the middle of that horror show December.
02:28A result there could spark something. Not just in the table, but emotionally.
02:32The City will be up for it. And it might just give Sunderland the boost they need.
02:36But it's going to be a tough, tough task.
02:39Newcastle Premier League, Champions League quality squad.
02:42Leeds United at home. December 27th. Massive, massive six-pointer.
02:47Sandwiched between Brighton away and City at home.
02:49This might be one game that we have to win over Christmas if we're going to stay in touch.
02:55Burnley at home. January 31st. Start of the running.
02:58Home game against another newly promoted team.
03:02Need to take points here.
03:04These are the fixtures I think will decide things come May.
03:08And again, Newcastle away on the 21st of March.
03:12Return leg of the Derby.
03:14Intimidating atmosphere at St James' Park.
03:16But if we're in the mix, come March and still fighting,
03:19even a point there could prove absolutely massive in terms of belief.
03:24My final thoughts.
03:26The Premier League is absolutely no joke.
03:29We all know that.
03:30There's going to be some big games there for Sunderland to target, especially early on.
03:34Home form is going to be key.
03:36But the big question is, can we weather this December storm?
03:40Let me know what you think in the comments.
03:42Which fixtures are you most nervous about and which ones are you absolutely buzzing for?
03:47Drop us a like, subscribe to the channel and join us all season long for Premier League content.
03:52From a Sunderland perspective, it's going to be one hell of a ride.
03:54Thanks for watching.
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