Opening day test for Black Cats
Monday, 16 Jun 2008 11:59
Keane might be grimacing after the announcement of the fixture list
Sunderland will find Premier League life is as hard as ever as they kick off their 2008/09 campaign at home to Liverpool.
And matters won't get any easier with Roy Keane's side in August, with a trip to the capital to play Tottenham Hotspur before entertaining Mark Hughes' Manchester City at the Stadium of Light.
The Wearsiders could struggle to pick up points over the Christmas period with a home clash with Blackburn Rovers sandwiched between trips to newly-promoted Hull City and Everton.
Fans will be fearful of securing a third consecutive Premier League season once Sunderland's end-of season run-in commences, with testing away visits to Bolton Wanderers and Portsmouth before Chelsea visit the north-east on the final day.
