Sunderland fixtures 2016/17: Manchester City away first, followed by Middlesbrough at home

Our comprehensive guide to all of the 2016/17 fixtures, plus a detailed look at some of the most important games of the season for your club

Sam Allardyce celebrates Sunderland's Premier League survival (Getty)

It is becoming something of a running joke that, year in, year out, Sunderland have the same season.

It usually goes like this: all optimism is gone by the August bank holiday, the manager is sacked as the schools go back but come May, his repalcement has somehow contrived to keep their heads above water. Repeat to fade.

This time, though, it honestly feels a little different. Rather than an inexperienced maverick or a jaded old hand, they have an established Premier League manager at helm, one who has plenty left the tank.

Sam Allardyce looks game for the fight this season and could make relegation fears at thing of the past at the Stadium of Light. His first job, however, will be getting them to win a game in August or September. They have not done that since 2012.

Here are some of the highlights from Sunderland’s fixture list to look out for:

First game

Sunderland will face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on the 13 August 2016.

Last game

Sunderland will play against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on the 21 May 2017.

Games against biggest rivals

Middlesbrough: 20 August 2016 (h), 11 March 2017 (a)

Over the festive period

Sunderland will play over the festive period Manchester United (a) on Boxing Day, Burnley (a) on 31 January and Liverpool (h) on 2 January.

Full fixture list

13/08/2016 15:00 Manchester City (a)

20/08/2016 15:00 Middlesbrough (h)

27/08/2016 15:00 Southampton (a)

10/09/2016 15:00 Everton (h)

17/09/2016 15:00 Tottenham Hotspur (a)

24/09/2016 15:00 Crystal Palace (h)

01/10/2016 15:00 West Bromwich Albion (h)

15/10/2016 15:00 Stoke City (a)

22/10/2016 15:00 West Ham United (a)

29/10/2016 15:00 Arsenal (h)

05/11/2016 15:00 A.F.C. Bournemouth (a)

19/11/2016 15:00 Hull City (h)

26/11/2016 15:00 Liverpool (a)

03/12/2016 15:00 Leicester City (h)

10/12/2016 15:00 Swansea City (a)

13/12/2016 19:45 Chelsea (h)

17/12/2016 15:00 Watford (h)

26/12/2016 15:00 Manchester United (a)

31/12/2016 15:00 Burnley (a)

02/01/2017 15:00 Liverpool (h)

14/01/2017 15:00 Stoke City (h)

21/01/2017 15:00 West Bromwich Albion (a)

31/01/2017 19:45 Tottenham Hotspur (h)

04/02/2017 15:00 Crystal Palace (a)

11/02/2017 15:00 Southampton (h)

25/02/2017 15:00 Everton (a)

04/03/2017 15:00 Manchester City (h)

11/03/2017 15:00 Middlesbrough (a)

18/03/2017 15:00 Burnley (h)

01/04/2017 15:00 Watford (a)

04/04/2017 19:45 Leicester City (a)

08/04/2017 15:00 Manchester United (h)

15/04/2017 15:00 West Ham United (h)

22/04/2017 15:00 Arsenal (a)

29/04/2017 15:00 A.F.C. Bournemouth (h)

06/05/2017 15:00 Hull City (a)

13/05/2017 15:00 Swansea City (h)

21/05/2017 15:00 Chelsea (a)

Premier League Fixtures 2016/17 club by club

Arsenal fixtures / Bournemouth fixtures / Burnley fixtures

Chelsea fixtures / Crystal Palace fixtures / Everton fixtures

Hull City fixtures / Leicester City fixtures / Liverpool fixtures

Manchester City fixtures / Manchester United fixtures

Middlesbrough fixtures / Southampton fixtures / Stoke fixtures

Sunderland fixtures / Swansea fixtures / Tottenham fixtures

Watford fixtures / West Brom fixtures / West Ham fixtures