After a successful distraction in the FA Cup, Sunderland welcome Fulham in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, February 22.
Recent results have caused the hosts to slide down the standings to 11th, while their visitors are a place below them, with just two points the difference.
Wins for either side in this game are crucial to get further away from the relegation scrap, although they are both fairly safe for now.
With 12 games left to play in the season, both clubs will be aiming to finish higher up the table to give themselves the best chance of qualifying for European football.
Explore our Sunderland vs Fulham betting tips below.
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Sunderland vs Fulham prediction: Atmosphere to push the Black Cats
Key stats
- Sunderland have lost only once at home in the league across 13 matches, winning seven.
- Fulham are on a four-match winless run on the road in this competition.
- Marco Silva’s men have been wretched away from home, as they only kept one clean sheet all season.
- The hosts’ last defeat at home to Liverpool was only the second time that they had failed to score at the Stadium of Light this term.
Correct score prediction: Sunderland 2-1 Fulham
Regis Le Bris’s men have been more confident in their home surroundings, scoring 21 goals in 13 such league fixtures at an average of 1.6 goals per game. However, the Cottagers have been poor away from Craven Cottage, having won only three of 13 games and conceded 24 goals in that run. Before Fulham’s cup win over Stoke, they were on a run of losing three consecutive matches while conceding at least twice.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Nothing to choose between them
- HOME: 8/5 (2.60) – 38.5%
- DRAW: 9/4 (3.25) – 30.8%
- AWAY: 17/10 (2.70) – 37.0%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Since these teams are next to each other in the Premier League, it makes sense that their chances of winning this game are similar. Perhaps, thanks to home advantage, Sunderland have the edge with a 38.5% chance of winning this weekend, while Fulham are not far behind at 37%. A draw is also a likely result, as it receives a 30.8% chance of happening. Realistically, all three results are highly possible, but the Stadium of Light atmosphere could be the difference.
We have more free betting tips for today to help you out with the best possible selections.
Most recent H2Hs: Chasing a league double
Fulham are the better side in recent head-to-heads, having won three of the last four meetings, including the reverse fixture in London back in November 2025. If the Cottagers can get another one over the Black Cats, it will be their first double over these opponents since the 2002-03 league campaign. The previous meeting on this ground in the English top flight produced a 1-0 win for the visitors back in 2013.
England Premier League 22/11/25
Fulham
Sunderland
England FA Cup 08/02/23
Sunderland
Fulham
England FA Cup 28/01/23
Fulham
Sunderland
Sunderland preview: Influential Xhaka still out
When Granit Xhaka moved to Sunderland in the off-season, nobody would have predicted the difference he would make in that dressing room. However, the former Arsenal midfielder has been struggling with an ankle injury that has kept him out since the end of January, leaving him missing five matches already. Xhaka is bound to miss his sixth game, while Bertrand Traore will sit out his seventh, as he battles to recover from a knee injury. Le Bris will be concerned about the fitness of defender Omar Alderete, who faces a late test.
Predicted lineup: Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Geertruida, Mandava; Sadiki, Diarra; Hume, Le Fee, Angula; Brobbey
Last five matches
- 15/02/26: Oxford United 0-1 Sunderland (FA Cup)
- 11/02/26: Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
- 07/02/26: Arsenal 3-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
- 02/02/26: Sunderland 3-0 Burnley (Premier League)
- 24/01/26: West Ham 3-1 Sunderland (Premier League)
Fulham preview: Late calls for Cairney and Lukic
The Fulham boss does not have much to complain about in the way of injuries. Tom Cairney and Sasa Lukic have been missing in recent weeks due to injury, but they could both be back for the trip north to Sunderland. Other than that, Silva will have a full squad from which to select his matchday XI.
Predicted lineup: Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Iwobi, Berge; Wilson, Smith-Rowe, Chukwueze; Jimenez
Last five matches
- 15/02/26: Stoke 1-2 Fulham (FA Cup)
- 11/02/26: Man City 3-0 Fulham (Premier League)
- 07/02/26: Fulham 1-2 Everton (Premier League)
- 01/02/26: Man Utd 3-2 Fulham (Premier League)
- 24/01/26: Fulham 2-1 Brighton (Premier League)
Player to watch: Habib Diarra
Habib Diarra has developed a knack for scoring in the first half for Sunderland, as each of his last four strikes arrived between the 25th minute and the break. Diarra has now scored two of the team’s last three goals in all competitions, which means he can turn up with a goal against Fulham.