Sunderland AFC 2011/12 Fixtures

The 2011/12 fixtures were released about an hour ago and Sunderland have been handed an intriuging start to the new 2011-12 campaign, with a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool followed by an eagerly-awaited Wear-Tyne derby against Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats head to Merseyside on the first day of the season - August 13 - before returning to Wearside to face off against their near neighbours a week later. Meanwhile Steve Bruce's men, who will travel to Tyneside for the return derby fixture on March 3, face two home games over the Christmas period and will finish the season with a home date against Manchester United on May 13.