Overview

• The match kicks off at 3 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET) at the Stadium of Light, with Robert Jones appointed referee and Stuart Attwell on VAR duty.
• Sunderland enter with five confirmed absentees—Aji Alese, Luke O’Nien, Leo Hjelde, Romain Mundle and Dennis Cirkin—and summer signing Granit Xhaka is expected to captain the side.
• West Ham travel without Crysencio Summerville, with Callum Wilson in line to partner Jarrod Bowen in attack.
• PGMOL’s pre-season briefings introduce stricter enforcement on holding in the penalty area, tougher simulation sanctions, concussion protocols and semi-automated offside technology.
• U.S. viewers must subscribe to Peacock Premium for live coverage, while U.K. fans will rely on BBC highlights and BBC Radio 5 Live commentary.