Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026
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Kick-off: 2:00 PM GMT
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Competition: Premier League
Sunderland and Fulham are split by a narrow margin in the middle of the table and this is a battle of fine margins between two teams that are seeking momentum.
Match Preview
Sunderland head into this match in the 11th position in the
Premier League two points ahead of Fulham after a fluctuating league performance. Although, on the one hand, Regis Le Bris side has lost three out of the four recent Premier League games, their home performance is one of their strongest.
The black cats have amassed 26 points out of 13 home league matches and lost in the Stadium of light only once this season, their previous game with Liverpool which was narrowly lost. Before the defeat, Sunderland had gone all season without a defeat at home during the 202526 league.
Fulham on their part enter the North East ranked 12th, and having suffered a bad league campaign of their own. The men managed by Marco Silva have lost three matches in succession in the Premier League but their recent victory in the FA Cup over Stoke City has given the men of the club a well served confidence boost.
And as there are still 12 games to go, both teams continue to have dreams of a high finish in the top half of the table - and even a faint hope of a late assault on the European cup.
Head-to-Head Record
- Sunderland wins: 26
- Draws: 20
- Fulham wins: 21
Last five meetings:
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Fulham 1–0 Sunderland (Nov 2025)
- Sunderland 2–3 Fulham (Feb 2023)
- Fulham 1–1 Sunderland (Jan 2023)
- Fulham 2–1 Sunderland (Apr 2018)
- Sunderland 1–0 Fulham (Dec 2017)
Fulham have won three of the past four games including the reverse of the match that was held earlier this season. Sunderland, however, have been without a win against Fulham in the premier league since January of 2014 which will give the hosts additional drive.
Sunderland Team News
Sunderland will also be missing influential midfielder Granit Xhaka whose ankle injury has kept him on the ground since the end of January. His lack has been experienced both tactically and in leadership sense.
Unavailable:
Granit Xhaka (ankle)
Bertrand Traoré (knee)
Doubts:
Omar Alderete (late fitness test)
Robin Roefs is a quiet achiever; the goalkeeper has registered 30% clean sheets in the 30 games that he has played in the premier league this season.
Fulham Team News
Fulham go to the north with a fair number of injury issues. Both Sasa Lukic and Tom Cairney are on the verge of coming back to the team and are fitted to make a welcome back by Marco Silva.
The visitors will have a close to full strength team, excepting the two late calls.
Winger Harry Wilson, the best league scorer in the Fulham with eight goals, is an important attacking threat and will be the core of their scoring.
Predicted Lineups
Sunderland (4-2-3-1)
Roefs;
Mukiele, Ballard, Geertruida, Mandava;
Sadiki, Diarra;
Hume, Le Fée, Angula;
Brobbey
Fulham (4-2-3-1)
Leno;
Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon;
Iwobi, Berge;
Wilson, Smith-Rowe, Chukwueze;
Jiménez
Key Stats
Sunderland have been defeated only once at home in the league this season.
Fulham have only won three league away matches out of 13 games.
Fulham have only retained one clean sheet on the road.
Sunderland have achieved 21 goals in 13 home league matches.
Fulham have leaked 24 away goals in premier league.
Tactical Insight
The mood of the Stadium of Light may make a crucial difference. Sunderland have been much more assertive at home, advancing the ball higher and being wide-ranging in attack. Fulham, in their turn, have been terrible on the defensive outside of Craven Cottage and have tended to lose the midfield.
Provided that Sunderland can take the initiative early and take advantage of the weak back line of Fulham then they can come out in what is supposed to be a tight match.
Sunderland vs Fulham Prognosis.
Although Fulham have the upper hand in the recent head-to-head encounters, the spectacular home performance by Sunderland and the bad away performance by Fulham indicates that host is going to win the game by a slim margin.
Correct Score Prediction:
Sunderland 2–1 Fulham
