Preview: Sunderland vs. Real Betis - prediction, team news, lineups

Sunderland will continue their preparations for the upcoming Premier League season on Saturday, with the club set to host Real Betis at the Stadium of Light in a friendly clash.

The Black Cats earned promotion from the Championship last term after winning 2-1 in the playoff final against Sheffield United in May, while Real Betis qualified for the Europa League after finishing sixth in La Liga in 2024-25.

Match preview

Sunderland finished fourth in the Championship with 76 points, 14 fewer than Sheffield United managed, but a 95th-minute winner from Tom Watson in the playoff final saw them return to the top flight after an eight-year absence.

Boss Regis Le Bris's side netted 58 times and conceded on 44 occasions in 2024-25, making them the Championship's joint ninth-best offensive and third-best defensive club.

Given all three promoted teams were relegated from the Premier League in each of the last two seasons, it is no surprise that the club have spent heavily in the transfer market, with their outlay surpassing £112m after finalising a deal for Granit Xhaka.

The Black Cats have lost their last three friendly matches, winning one and drawing one of their prior two, though the results are ultimately of little consequence.

Last season at the Stadium of Light the hosts' collected 44 points, which was the sixth-best record in the second tier, and they ended the campaign with three defeats and a draw in their final four home outings.

As for Real Betis, they ended their 2024-25 campaign on a disappointing note, losing the Conference League 4-1 against Chelsea in May.

Heliopolitanos' placement in La Liga was the third time in five seasons that they had finished sixth, though their tally of 57 league goals was nine better than they managed in 2023-24.

Though Betis rank as Spain's third-highest spenders of their summer, they have only invested £24.46m into the club while generating nearly £50m in sales.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini's team have so far played two pre-season friendlies, with the club drawing 1-1 with Coventry City on July 30 and beating Cordoba 4-3 on July 25.

Betis' showings away from home last term were mixed considering they lost seven and were held to five stalemates in their 19 away fixtures in La Liga.

Sunderland friendly form:

Real Betis friendly form:

Team News

Sunderland left-back Reinildo Mandava is nearing a return to full fitness and is in line to make his debut for the club on Saturday.

Xhaka can be expected to feature for the Black Cats for the first time, and he could play alongside midfielders Enzo Le Fee and Habib Diarra.

Striker Wilson Isidor is available but is unlikely to start, meaning Eliezer Mayenda is almost certain to start up front.

As for the La Liga side, goalkeeper Pau Lopez is set to play, and he may be shielded by centre-backs Marc Bartra and Natan.

Mawuli Mensah and Pablo Fornals could play in a double pivot in the absence of injured midfielder Marc Roca.

Centre-forward Cucho Hernandez will be expected to link well with number 10 Giovani Lo Celso.

Sunderland possible starting lineup:

Moore; Hume, Ballard, Seelt, Mandava; Le Fee, Diarra, Xhaka; Talbi, Mayenda, Adingra

Real Betis possible starting lineup:

Lopez; Bellerin, Bartra, Natan, Rodriguez; Mensah, Fornals; Ruibal, Lo Celso, Riquelme; Hernandez

We say: Sunderland 1-1 Real Betis

Though Sunderland's pre-season performances have been subpar in terms of results, their fitness levels will have risen considerably in recent weeks, and they could be competitive against Real Betis.

Both sides are likely to make a number of changes in the second half that could disrupt the flow of the game, so perhaps they will have to settle for a draw on Saturday.