“Finally easy games” — Sunderland’s next five fixtures compared to Newcastle and Leeds amid Premier League battle

Sunderland’s hopes of pushing towards the Premier League summit hit a bump following a 2-0 loss at Manchester United. With title rivals like Newcastle United and Leeds United breathing down their neck, every upcoming fixture takes on increased importance. Do Sunderland have a run of easier games ahead? Or will the schedule bite them like the fixture released suggests?

🔜 Sunderland’s next five Premier League fixtures

From the 2025/26 Premier League fixture list, Sunderland’s next five league games are:

🔍 Fixture difficulty: “easy” or minefield?

On paper, these next five are a serious test. Let’s break them down:

Manchester United (Away) – Always a big test, especially at Old Trafford. Not a match to expect many points, but possible to frustrate. Wolves (Home) – More favourable. Wolves are solid but this is a chance to get points at home. Chelsea (Away) – Difficult: usually a strong side; away games to Chelsea are rarely straightforward. Everton (Home) – Historically more winnable for Sunderland; a good chance to pick up points if form holds. Arsenal (Home) – Tough. Arsenal are strong; even at home this is one to definitely be wary of.

So, while there are a couple of softer spots (Wolves at home, Everton at home), the stretch as a whole is far from “easy games.”

⚔️ How do Newcastle & Leeds United’s upcoming fixtures compare?

While the full context of where Newcastle and Leeds are in the league table affects how difficult games feel, a quick glance shows:

Newcastle United tend to have a schedule with fewer “easy” fixtures — many matches against title rivals and strong mid-table sides. Their run is likely to be rigorous. (Fixture lists show games such as facing the likes of Manchester City, etc.)  Leeds United, as a newly promoted side, also have dangerous fixtures ahead. Some may look more manageable than Sunderland’s, but they don’t get many “free points” either. 

In short: Sunderland’s upcoming run is among the tougher stretches compared to what some rivals might face.

📝 Final word

After the loss to Manchester United, Sunderland cannot afford to treat their next five fixtures as a respite. There are chances to pick up points — especially at home — but dangerous fixtures like Chelsea away and the big-home clash with Arsenal loom large.

Against Newcastle and Leeds, Sunderland’s schedule doesn’t seem easier; indeed, part of the title/race margin will likely come down to how well they cope with these tougher matches.