Seven friendly games ahead of new season
SUNDERLAND have announced a programme of seven pre-season friendlies - with an eighth set to be confirmed in the coming days.
The Black Cats will report back to the Academy of Light tomorrow to begin their preparations ahead of the Championship season, which kicks off on July 30.
Their preparations will include behind-closed-doors friendlies against National League Gateshead and National League North side Blyth Spartans on Saturday, July 2.
Alex Neil’s side will then travel to Portugal for an eight-day training camp on the Algarve from July 6-13, where they will play two friendlies.
The first game will see them take on Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers at the Estadio Municipal de Albufeira - a familiar venue with the Black Cats having last played there in the summer of 2019 - on Saturday, July 9 (kick-off 8.00).
There will also be a second fixture in Portugal, although the date and opponents have yet to be confirmed.
Sunderland will then return to England before heading over the border to take on Scottish Premiership side Dundee United at Tannadice Park on Saturday, July 16 (kick-off 3.00).
They will then face League Two Bradford City at Valley Parade on Tuesday, July 19 (kick-off 7.00) before travelling to the Wham Stadium to meet League One Accrington Stanley on Saturday, July 23 (kick-off 3.00).
Sunderland’s dress rehearsal ahead of the new season will see them take on League Two Hartlepool United at Victoria Park on Monday, July 25 (kick-off 7.00).
The club will announce ticketing and streaming details for the games in the coming weeks.
■SUNDERLAND will be ball number 33 in the pot for the Carabao Cup first round on Thursday (2.30).
The Black Cats were one of the surprise packages in the competition last season, reaching the quarter-finals but then being beaten 5-1 by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.