Sunderland set to face the Owls in first round of the Carabao Cup
Sunderland will travel to Hillsborough in the first round of the Carabao Cup.
The Black Cats, who reached the quarter-finals of the competition last season, will face Sheffield Wednesday just months on from the playoff semi-final.
Ross Stewart gave Sunderlandaslenderadvantageinthe first leg of that tie, before a late strike from Patrick Roberts cancelled out Lee Gregory’s goal and sent his side through.
The Owls have made an aggressivestarttotheirsummer recruitment, signing Michael Smith and Michael Ihiekwe from promotion-winning RotherhamUnitedinanambitious double deal on Wednesday night.
They had already signed Will Vaulks from Cardiff City, as well as Ben Heneghan from AFC Wimbledon and goalkeeper David Stockdale from
Wycombe Wanderers.
Thetiewillbeplayedonthe week commencing August 8, 2022.
Sunderland beat Port Vale, WiganAthletic,Blackpooland QPR on route to the last eight last season, where they were beaten 5-1 by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
*LeeHendriehaspredicted that Sunderland will finish in the top-six spots in the Championship next season.
The fixtures were released with Sunderland set to face Coventry City at home in their first game back in the second tier in five years. The clash at the Stadium of Light isalunchtimekick-offonSunday July 31.
Talk has already turned towards where clubs could finish now that the fixtures have been released, with exEngland and Aston Villa man Hendrie predicting a top-six finish for Sunderland.
"I have got them down in my top-six as well,” Hendrie said.
“The way I look at Sunderland
is that they have been out of the Championship, but they are destined for topflight football.
"It has took some time. Theyhavehadtochangemanagers. Alex Neil has come in anddoneabrilliantjobandfinally got them into the Championship.Idofeelthisisgoing to be a springboard for them, I really do.
"I just think that a football club of that stature and that size. The fans.
"Their home form is going to be so key for them this season when you are getting 30,000-35,000 plus in the Championship.”