Our prediction for this League 1 match:
Sunderland
Match Time & Date:
07/08/2021
16:00
Prediction: 1-1
Wigan
All eyes will be on Stadium of Light when Sunderland and Wigan Athletic face each other in the League One derby at the start of the season. The Black Cats failed to impress in the 2020/21 League One season, with the team losing to Lincoln in the playoffs. Sunderland are eager to make amends for the unsuccessful campaign, and they are likely to go all guns blazing at the Latics.
The likes of Charlie Wyke, Max Power, Chris Maguire, and Callum McFadzean are no longer part of the team, while new signings Corry Evans and Alex Pritchard are pushing for a start. Wigan Athletic were impressive in pre-season, with the team winning each of their four warm-up games, but beating Sunderland on the road is easier said than done. The two teams seem to be evenly matched at the moment, and we are tempted to put our money on draw.
Highlighted Player (Will Grigg):
Wighan Athletic striker Will Grigg became a viral sensation during the European Championship in France but the chances are any avid football fan will have been well aware of his goalscoring exploits even before 2016. The 27-year-old forward began his career at Stratford Town but it was in Walsall that the world took notice of his presence after 27 goals in 99 performances for the club.
He first came to prominence during the 2012/13 season when he was voted the club’s Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season, but a loan spell at Milton Keynes Dons during his rather unfortunate two-year spell over at Brentford proved crucial for his career.
The total of 20 goals in 44 appearances at Stadium MK was where Wigan Athletic noticed the Northern Ireland man and moved in to sign him on a three year contract for a £1 million fee in 2015. ‘Will Grigg’s on Fire’ was the hit song of the Euro 2016 even though the Northern Ireland striker ended up not getting a chance to make a bow in the tournament.
Highlighted Team (Wigan):
Wigan Athletic are one of the winners of the English FA Cup. The Latics won the prestigious trophy in 2013, with the team upsetting Manchester City in the title game. This is considered the club’s biggest success, but it has to be noted that Wigan played in the UEFA Europa League in the 2013/2014 season.
Wigan have been playing their home games at the DW Stadium since 1999 and they had played at Springfield Park in the past. Chorley are considered Wigan’s fierce rivals, but the two teams last met in 1971, when they competed in the Northern Premier League. The likes of Preston North End, Bury, Oldham Athletic, Burnley and Blackburn Rovers are regarded as Wigan Athletic’s rivals as well.
The club was founded in 1932 and they competed in the English Premier League from 2005 to 2013. The colour of Wigan’s home kit is blue and white (stripes).
Lazio 
Bologna 
Nice 
Strasbourg 
Athletic Bilbao
Real Sociedad 
