Sunderland vs Fulham Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, Sunday, 22 February

Sunderland will host Fulham at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, 22 February, in a Premier League clash that promises intrigue for both sides. This match is crucial for Sunderland as they look to capitalise on home advantage to climb the league table. Meanwhile, Fulham will aim to secure valuable points away from home, adding an extra layer of competitiveness to this encounter. These betting tips will break down the potential outcomes and key factors to consider.

The Stadium of Light is set to witness a battle between two English teams with contrasting styles. Sunderland, known for their resilience, will be keen to assert themselves early on. Fulham, on the other hand, will rely on their tactical flexibility to navigate the challenges posed by the hosts. As both teams vie for supremacy in the Premier League, this match could have significant implications for their respective campaigns. Keep an eye on this fixture for potential betting opportunities.

Sunderland vs Fulham Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Both teams to score: yes	1.89

Considering both teams’ attacking strengths and recent performances, our recommended betting tip is ‘Both Teams to Score (BTTS)’. Sunderland and Fulham have both shown they are capable of finding the net, making this a promising bet.

• Sunderland have won three of their last six matches, showing their ability to compete even when conceding.
• Fulham’s offensive tactics and possession play are likely to create scoring opportunities.
• Both teams’ mid-table positions and similar recent form suggest a closely contested match with goals from both sides.

Betting Odds

Sunderland face Fulham at the Stadium of Light, and the betting odds suggest a closely contested match. Sunderland are slightly favoured with odds of 2.69, while Fulham are not far behind at 2.66. A draw is priced at 3.22, indicating that the bookmakers expect a tight encounter.

Betting Tip	Odds
Sunderland to win	2.69
Draw	3.22
Fulham to win	2.66

For those looking to place a bet, the odds highlight potential value in backing either team, given their similar pricing. Additionally, with both teams showing attacking intent in recent fixtures, markets for both teams to score and over 2.5 goals could be worth exploring.

Sunderland Analysis & Past Performance

Sunderland’s recent form has been inconsistent, with two wins and three losses in their last five matches. Notably, they have scored five goals and conceded seven during this period, averaging 1.00 goals scored and 1.40 goals conceded per game. This highlights a pressing need for improvement in both attacking efficiency and defensive solidity.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Oxford	Sunderland	0 – 1 (Win)	FA Cup	15 Feb, 2026
Sunderland	Liverpool	0 – 1 (Loss)	Premier League	11 Feb, 2026
Arsenal	Sunderland	3 – 0 (Loss)	Premier League	7 Feb, 2026
Sunderland	Burnley	3 – 0 (Win)	Premier League	2 Feb, 2026
West Ham	Sunderland	3 – 1 (Loss)	Premier League	24 Jan, 2026

Recent Form:
Despite a strong 3-0 victory over Burnley, Sunderland suffered a 0-1 defeat against Liverpool and a 3-0 loss to Arsenal, indicating vulnerabilities against top-tier opposition. Their clean sheet against Oxford in the FA Cup demonstrates potential resilience, but overall, they have managed only two clean sheets in their last five outings.

Sunderland’s performance at home has been more reliable, with a solid record of two wins, two draws, and just one loss in their last five home fixtures. This home form is crucial as they face Fulham, providing a platform to build upon their 0.40 win ratio at home. Currently sitting 11th in the Premier League with 36 points, Sunderland’s mid-table position reflects their mixed performances, highlighting the need for more consistent results to climb the standings.

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Sunderland Suspensions & Injuries

Sunderland face a challenging situation with several key players unavailable due to injuries. Daniel Ballard is sidelined with a hamstring injury, aiming for a return in mid-December 2023. Bertrand Traoré is out with a knee injury until early March 2026, while Granit Xhaka’s ankle injury keeps him out until late February 2026. Omar Alderete’s muscle injury leaves his participation doubtful, adding to Sunderland’s defensive concerns.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Daniel Ballard	Hamstring Injury	Mid December 2023
Bertrand Traoré	Knee Injury	Early March 2026
Granit Xhaka	Ankle Injury	Late February 2026
Omar Alderete	Muscle Injury	Doubtful

The absences of Ballard and Alderete are significant as they form part of Sunderland’s defensive core. Without these players, Sunderland’s backline might see tactical adjustments, potentially requiring Nordi Mukiele to step into a more central role alongside Reinildo. The absence of Xhaka in midfield could see Enzo Le Fée and Noah Sadiki taking on more responsibility in controlling the game’s tempo.

These injuries could influence Sunderland’s tactical approach, possibly necessitating a more conservative strategy to compensate for the weakened defence. With a depleted squad, the betting markets may see Sunderland as underdogs against Fulham, impacting odds in favour of the visitors. Sunderland will need to rely on their available players to step up and mitigate the impact of these key absences.

Sunderland Key Players

Sunderland’s attack will heavily rely on their top scorer Brian Brobbey, who has netted five goals this season. Brobbey’s physicality and finishing ability make him a constant threat in the opposition’s penalty area. His role as the lone forward means he will be pivotal in Sunderland’s efforts to break down Fulham’s defence. His ability to hold up the ball and bring midfielders into play will be crucial in creating goal-scoring opportunities.

Enzo Le Fée, playing in midfield, is another key player for Sunderland. Known for his vision and passing accuracy, Le Fée orchestrates play, linking defence and attack seamlessly. His partnership with Noah Sadiki in midfield will be vital for maintaining possession and dictating the tempo of the game. On the defensive end, Nordi Mukiele’s versatility and defensive prowess provide stability, making him an indispensable asset in thwarting Fulham’s attacking threats.

Expected lineup for Sunderland:

• Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs
• Defenders: Nordi Mukiele, Daniel Ballard, Omar Alderete, Reinildo
• Midfielders: Noah Sadiki, Enzo Le Fée, Trai Hume, Habib Diarra, Nilson Angulo
• Forward: Brian Brobbey

Sunderland Tactics and Formation

Sunderland Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Brian Brobbey
• Midfield Pivot: Noah Sadiki and Enzo Le Fée
• Defensive Strength: A mix of experience and youth, with recent clean sheets
• Notable Strategy: Emphasis on ball possession and controlled build-up play.

In their 4-2-3-1 formation, Sunderland aim to dominate midfield with Noah Sadiki and Enzo Le Fée at the core, ensuring a seamless transition from defence to attack. The inclusion of Trai Hume and Habib Diarra in advanced midfield roles adds creativity and pace, crucial for supporting Brian Brobbey up front, who has been in fine form with five goals this season.

Defensively, Sunderland’s lineup with Nordi Mukiele and Daniel Ballard provides a solid backline, complemented by Omar Alderete and Reinildo. This setup has contributed to Sunderland securing clean sheets recently, showcasing their defensive resilience.

Offensively, the team focus on maintaining possession and building play through controlled passes, leveraging the technical abilities of Le Fée and Diarra. Despite recent injuries to key players like Granit Xhaka, their tactical discipline remains a strength, as evidenced by their ability to secure a 1-0 victory in their last FA Cup match.

Fulham Analysis & Past Performance

Fulham’s recent form in the Premier League has been inconsistent, with their last five outings yielding two wins and three losses. Their most recent victory came against Stoke City in the FA Cup, where they secured a 2-1 win away from home. However, they suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat at Manchester City and narrowly lost 2-1 at home to Everton.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Stoke City	Fulham	1 – 2 (Win)	FA Cup	15 Feb 2026
Manchester City	Fulham	3 – 0 (Loss)	Premier League	11 Feb 2026
Fulham	Everton	1 – 2 (Loss)	Premier League	7 Feb 2026
Manchester United	Fulham	3 – 2 (Loss)	Premier League	1 Feb 2026
Fulham	Brighton & Hove Albion	2 – 1 (Win)	Premier League	24 Jan 2026

Recent Form:
Over their last five matches, Fulham have averaged 1.40 goals per game, but defensively they have struggled, conceding an average of 2.00 goals per game during the same period. Notably, Fulham have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of these matches, highlighting a defensive vulnerability.

When playing away, Fulham have managed only a single win in their last five away fixtures, with a win ratio of just 20%. They have scored in three of these games, indicating some attacking potential, yet their defensive frailties are evident with all five games seeing them concede goals.

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Fulham Suspensions & Injuries

Fulham face notable challenges in midfield due to the unavailability of Sasa Lukić and Tom Cairney. Lukić’s hamstring injury will keep him out until late February, which affects Fulham’s depth and midfield dynamics. Cairney’s calf injury status is listed as doubtful, adding further uncertainty. These absences necessitate reliance on players like Sander Berge and Alex Iwobi to step up and fill the void in creativity and stability.

The absence of Lukić and Cairney could lead to tactical adjustments from Marco Silva. Fulham may opt to reinforce their midfield with a more defensive setup, potentially using Harrison Reed to provide additional cover and maintain balance. This shift might impact Fulham’s typical attacking prowess, requiring more from their wingers and forward Raúl Jiménez to compensate.

With a relatively intact defensive line and the presence of key attacking players, Fulham’s main challenge will be maintaining midfield control without Lukić and Cairney. This could influence betting markets, as Fulham might be perceived as vulnerable in controlling the game’s tempo, especially against a Sunderland side eager to exploit any midfield weaknesses.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Sasa Lukić	Hamstring Injury	Late February 2026
Tom Cairney	Calf Strain	Uncertain

Fulham Key Players

Fulham’s top scorer Harry Wilson has been pivotal in their attacking strategies, contributing eight goals this season. His ability to cut inside from the right flank and deliver precise shots makes him a constant threat to opposing defences. Wilson’s interplay with forward Raúl Jiménez, who leads the line up front, could be crucial in breaking down Sunderland’s backline. Jiménez’s physical presence and hold-up play provide a vital outlet for Fulham’s attacking transitions.

In midfield, Sander Berge and Alex Iwobi are expected to control the tempo and link up play between defence and attack. Berge’s strength and Iwobi’s creativity will be essential in dictating Fulham’s possession and creating opportunities. Defensively, Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey form a solid partnership, with Andersen’s leadership and Bassey’s pace being key to thwarting Sunderland’s offensive efforts.

Expected lineup for Fulham

• Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno
• Defence: Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, Ryan Sessegnon, Kenny Tete
• Midfield: Harry Wilson, Sander Berge, Alex Iwobi, Emile Smith Rowe, Samuel Chukwueze
• Forward: Raúl Jiménez

Fulham Tactics and Formation

Fulham Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Raúl Jiménez
• Midfield Pivot: Sander Berge and Alex Iwobi
• Defensive Setup: Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey partnership
• Notable Strategy: Emphasis on width and rapid transitions.

Fulham’s tactical approach under Marco Silva sees them set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, aiming to maximise both defensive coverage and attacking options. The midfield duo of Sander Berge and Alex Iwobi is pivotal, offering a blend of defensive cover and forward thrust, critical for launching counter-attacks.

Offensively, Raúl Jiménez leads the line, expected to capitalise on the creative supply from Emile Smith Rowe in the central role, flanked by the agile Harry Wilson and Samuel Chukwueze. This trio’s interplay and pace are designed to stretch opposition defences and create scoring opportunities.

Defensively, the centre-back pairing of Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey is tasked with maintaining solidity. However, Fulham’s recent form shows vulnerabilities, as they have yet to secure a clean sheet in their last five fixtures. The full-backs, Ryan Sessegnon and Kenny Tete, are crucial for providing width and supporting transitions.

Sunderland vs Fulham Head-to-Head Record

Looking at the head-to-head record between Sunderland and Fulham, Fulham have the upper hand with 11 wins compared to Sunderland’s 7, alongside 9 draws. Their most recent encounter was a tight affair in the Premier League, where Fulham clinched a 1-0 victory at home in November 2025.

The last time these two met at the Stadium of Light was in the FA Cup back in February 2023, where Fulham edged out a 3-2 win. Sunderland will be eager to turn the tables this time around in the Premier League, hoping to leverage their home advantage.

Home Team	Away Team	Score	Competition	Date
Fulham	Sunderland	1 – 0	Premier League	2025-11-22
Sunderland	Fulham	2 – 3	FA Cup	2023-02-08
Fulham	Sunderland	1 – 1	FA Cup	2023-01-28
Fulham	Sunderland	2 – 1	Championship	2018-04-27
Sunderland	Fulham	1 – 0	Championship	2017-12-16