Sunderland vs Real Betis: Friendly Clash at the Stadium of Light
Sunderland is gearing up for a triumphant return to the Premier League! After a thrilling playoff final victory against Sheffield United, the Black Cats are back in the top flight after an eight-year absence. They're preparing for the new season with a friendly match against Spanish powerhouse Real Betis this Saturday at the Stadium of Light.
It's been an eventful offseason for both teams. Sunderland, led by boss Regis Le Bris, has been spending big, splashing over £112 million on new signings—including a deal for Granit Xhaka—to avoid the fate of other newly promoted teams, all of which were relegated in the last two seasons.
Despite some recent losses in friendly matches, Sunderland's focus is on building momentum and getting their squad ready. The team had an impressive home record last season, earning 44 points at the Stadium of Light, so they'll be hoping to turn that into an advantage against their international opponents.
On the other side, Real Betis, managed by the veteran Manuel Pellegrini, finished sixth in La Liga, securing a spot in the Europa League. While they had a disappointing end to their 2024-25 season with a Conference League final loss to Chelsea, they've been busy in the transfer market, generating nearly £50 million in sales. This is a team that's no stranger to success, having finished sixth in La Liga three times in the last five seasons.
Betis has already played two preseason friendlies, with a recent 1-1 draw against Coventry City and a 4-3 victory over Cordoba. This will be a great test for both squads as they fine-tune their strategies and get players match-fit before their respective league campaigns kick off.
Looking forward to this exciting friendly? Let us know what you think the final score will be!
