Sunderland and Derby County kick start their Championship campaign on Friday night when they meet at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland appointed Simon Grayson as their manager over the summer, after David Moyes resigned following relegation from the Premier League.
Key additions include Aiden McGeady and Lewis Grabban, however the likes of Jan Kirchoff and Jermain Defoe have left the club.
Derby County lost Will Hughes and Thomas Ince to the Premier League, however Tom Huddlestone has re-joined the club and Curtis Davies followed him from Hull City.
The campaign is Gary Rowett’s first full one in charge of the club, having taken over from Steve McClaren in the middle of the 16-17 season.
Match history
The pair last met back in 2008 when they were both in the Premier League and they played out a goalless draw.
Derby have an awful record against Sunderland and haven’t beaten the Black Cats in 16 years and 10 fixtures.
Last five league meetings (Championship unless stated)
Derby County 0 Sunderland 0 (Premier League) – 01/03/08
Sunderland 1 Derby County 0 (Premier League) – 01/12/07
Sunderland 2 Derby County 1 – 24/02/07
Derby County 1 Sunderland 2 – 09/09/06
Derby County 0 Sunderland 2 – 16/01/05
Both teams to score – 5/6 with Bet 365
Team news
New signings McGeady and Grabban are both expected to start on Friday evening.
Lamine Kone and Jeremain Lens probably see their future elsewhere, however are still with the club and the former is set to start here.
Derby will again be without the long term absentees of Jason Shackell and George Thorne for the season opener.
Chris Martin has returned from a loan spell with Fulham and is expected to lead the line.
Expected starting XI’s
Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Steele; Jones, Kone, O’Shea, Galloway; Cattermole, Ndong; Grabban, Khazri, McGeady; Vaughan
Derby County (4-3-3): Carson; Wisdom, Davies, Keogh, Forsyth; Huddlestone, Johnson, Butterfield; Russell, Martin, Weimann
Predictions
Result: Draw (12/5 with Bet 365)
Correct Score: 1-1 (6/1 with William Hill)
Anytime Goalscorer: Chris Martin (5/2 with Paddy Power)
