SUNDERLAND play their opening game of the new Championship season when they take on Coventry City on Sunday.

Here are the details of the game – and how you can watch it…


WHERE IS THE GAME TAKING PLACE?

Sunderland’s opening match of the new season is a home game that will be staged at the Stadium of Light.

It marks the club’s return to the Championship after a four-year absence, and is the sixth season in a row in which the Black Cats have kicked off their league programme on home soil. Last year’s opening game was a 2-1 home win over Wigan Athletic.


WHAT TIME IS KICK-OFF?

Having been selected for live TV coverage, Sunderland’s season opener was moved back to Sunday, and will kick off as 12 noon.


ARE TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE?

Tickets are still available for Sunday’s game, although availability in certain parts of the Stadium of Light is extremely limited.

The Roker End is completely sold out, with only a small section of the West Stand still showing seats available. The bulk of the remaining tickets are situated in the Carling Stand and a section of the East Stand.

Ticket prices start at £29 for adults, £26 for Over-65s, £22 for Under-22s and £12 for Under-16s.

Tickets can be bought online from Sunderland’s official website, or at the Stadium of Light ticket office which will be open:

Friday, July 29 (10am-1pm)

Saturday, July 30 (10am-5pm)

Sunday, July 31 (9am-kick off)


IS THE GAME BEING TELEVISED OR STREAMED LIVE?

Sunday’s game has been selected for live coverage, which means it will be screened on Sky Sports.

Coverage starts at 11.30am, and the match is being screened on Sky Sports Main Event as well as the Sky Sports Football channel.

Because of the live TV coverage, there is no streaming service for Sunday’s game. SAFC Live, with Frankie Francis and Danny Collins, will be in operation though, providing pre and post-match coverage via Sunderland’s website.

Scott Wilson will be in the press box for the game for The Northern Echo, and will be providing a live blog on The Northern Echo website as well as a report, ratings and post-match reaction and analysis.


WHAT MIGHT SUNDERLAND’S SIDE BE?

Having chopped and changed his starting line-up throughout the pre-season period, Alex Neil will finally have to decide what he deems his strongest side to be.

Anthony Patterson will start in goal, with the back four likely to be comprised of Lynden Gooch, Bailey Wright, Daniel Ballard and Dennis Cirkin.

Corry Evans will start at the base of midfield, potentially alongside either Dan Neil, Elliot Embleton or Luke O’Nien, with Alex Pritchard playing in the number ten role.

Jack Clarke and Patrick Roberts are expected to get the nod on the flanks, with Ross Stewart starting in attack.

With Ellis Simms’ loan move from Everton having been confirmed on Friday morning, the striker is set to be thrust straight onto the substitutes’ bench.

Predicted Sunderland line-up: Patterson; Gooch, Wright, Ballard, Cirkin; Evans, Neil; Roberts, Pritchard, Clarke; Stewart.


HOW ARE COVENTRY SHAPING UP?

Coventry finished in 12th position in the Championship last season, and have been steadily building in the second tier over the course of the last couple of years.

They have had a busy summer under the watchful eye of their manager, Mark Robins, bringing in six new players, the most notable of which is Manchester City loanee Callum Doyle, who spent last season on loan at the Stadium of Light.

They have held on to their star striker, Viktor Gyokeres, so far, despite strong interest from a number of clubs, both in this country and abroad.

Predicted Coventry line-up: Moore; Hyam, McFadzean, Panzo; Dabo, Hamer, Sheaf, Bidwell, O’Hare, Godden; Gyokeres.