Recently relegated Sunderland will be looking to get their Championship campaign off to a winning start as they take on Derby County, who will be hoping that this year they can make that long awaited step up to the Premier League.
Sunderland will be taking part in their first Championship campaign since the 2006/07 season, where The Black Cats finished top of the league to gain promotion. For Derby County, this will be their 10th season in England's second tier having last tasted top flight football in the 2007/08 season.
Sunderland have been very busy in the transfer market with seven new additions to their squad including the likes of Aiden McGeady from Everton and former blue James Vaughan, who impressed at Bury. McGeady is reunited with Sunderland manager Simon Grayson, who he knows from his time spent on loan at Preston North End last season.
Derby County have added Premier League quality and experience to their ranks with the signings of Tom Huddlestone and Curtis Davies from Hull as well as Andre Wisdom, who is no stranger to the club having previously having a loan spell at the club.
Sunderland come into this game off the back of a pre-season where they won four of their eight scheduled games. Derby on the other hand, played seven games in pre-season winning four.
Team News
Darron Gibson could still feature in tonight's game despite potentially facing an internal disciplinary process after he was filmed criticising his team-mates and Sunderland Football Club.
Jason Steele could be set to start for Sunderland making his debut in the process. Steele was brought in to replace outgoing goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Fellow keeper Robbin Ruiter set to be on the bench.
Aiden McGeady and another one of Grayson's new signings Lewis Grabban should be handed their debuts tonight
For Derby, striker Darren Bent is out till Christmas with a hamstring injury. Midfielder George Thorne who missed the whole of last season with a broken leg, is out with a hamstring injury.
Summer signings Tom Huddlestone, Curtis Davies and Andre Wisdom all expected to start for Derby County
Opta stats
Sunderland have gone seven games without a victory on the opening day of the season, drawing four and losing three.
Derby haven't lost any of their previous eight games on the opening day of the season, winning four in the process.
Sunderland are unbeaten in their last 10 league meetings with the Rams, winning six and drawing four.
This fixture will be the eight time that these two have met on the opening day. Only three other fixtures have been played more on the opening day of the Football League. (Everton vs Spurs 10, Blackburn vs Derby 9 and Middlesbrough vs Portsmouth 9)
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