Your Fantasy Football Club by Club Guide: Sunderland

The overview

Last season: 8th (BWSL2)

This season expectations: Aiming for top-mid table

Sunderland have gone about their summer with real purpose, keeping the players who made them tick and adding proven quality to help them kick on. Mel Reay's side finished mid-table last season, but the sense is of a squad building towards something more, which makes them a very rewarding club to keep an eye on for Fantasy value.

The key to Sunderland is Katie Kitching. The 27-year-old is an attacking midfielder who weighed in six goals from an xG of 3.13 last season while also taking the corners, meaning she offers the kind of involvement this scoring system rewards. Emily Scarr is another key name for Sunderland. She led the line last season, netting on six occasions and providing two assists as well.

Katy Watson is a creative, direct winger who averaged 5.16 crosses and 5.7 dribbles per 90 in 2025/26. Elise Hughes joins from Crystal Palace with an eye for goal, while Tara Bourne comes in from Southampton to add experience and options in defence. This is a well-stocked squad that could climb the table.

Set-piece takers

Corners: Katie Kitching took plenty last season so it’s likely she will stay on them. New arrival Tara Bourne is another who is comfortable over a corner, so there's assist potential in abundance, with Kitching the pick given everything else she brings.

Penalties: One to watch. Kitching or Scarr could be ones to claim the duties. Keep an eye on the opening weeks.

Direct free kicks: Kitching or Fenton are the likeliest from range.

Player costs

Sunderland have a nice mix of standout midfielders and some well-priced attacking options with a couple of interesting defenders in the mix as well.

Katie Kitching (£7.0m) offers goals, assists and corners making her a brilliant all-rounder, as she could quietly rack up points from every angle. For goals, Emily Scarr (£7.0m) is the one to target as the main striker, or it might be worth looking at Elise Hughes (£7.0m), the former Palace forward could be a smart pick-up if she settles quickly into the attack.

Looking at the attacking involvement points on offer, Katy Watson (£6.5m) is a fun option given her dynamic style of play and willingness to carry the ball forward. Moreover, if Sunderland's defence gels together, Tara Bourne (£6.0m) could help you pick up those clean sheet points as they push up the table.

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