Data reveals driver behind Sunderland Premier League form, but club deserves huge credit

Sunderland have enjoyed an excellent return to the Premier League so far, but how much of it do they owe to luck in terms of injuries?

Last week’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace leaves the Black Cats ninth with 33 points from 22 games, just three points adrift of the top four and already a whopping 16 points clear of the relegation zone - while only leaders Arsenal (2) have lost fewer games (5). Much has been made in recent years about the football schedule and the effect it has on the fitness of players. However, so far this season, Sunderland have largely managed to avoid any problems with injury.

Just how much fortune have they enjoyed in the treatment room and what influence could that have had on their results?

Premier League teams ranked by injuries

Whichever way you spin it, Sunderland have been blessed in the fitness department this season. The Black Cats have sustained just 11 injuries according to BBC Sport, who draw their data from Premier Injuries. Only three sides have suffered fewer injuries than that, while the Black Cats’ 252 days lost due to injuries is the second-lowest in the Premier League, only ahead of Burnley at 219.

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Habib Diarra has endured the longest absence of Regis Le Bris’ regular first-teamers, sitting out 11 games between September and December after undergoing groin surgery. Diarra then jetted off to the Africa Cup of Nations with eventual champions Senegal, but should return to the squad this weekend.

On the whole, however, it’s mainly been minor injury problems that have only kept Sunderland players out for a handful of games here and there. Omar Alderete missing three matches in late October and early November with a head injury, and a one-game absence for Simon Adingra with a muscle strain, for example.

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Sunderland’s fitness outlook is far better than arch-rivals Newcastle, who have sustained six more individual injuries, while they’ve lost more days to injury than any other Premier League team. Yoane Wissa is responsible for a large chunk of that after arriving at St. James’ Park injured in the summer, while the likes of Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Fabian Schar, Jacob Murphy and Tino Livramento either are or have been sidelined for extended periods - to name just a handful of players.

Sunderland are also blessed with the fewest current injuries of any Premier League side with just two, in comparison to Bournemouth, who are missing a league-high eight players.

Sunderland summer recruitment drive pays off

There has no doubt been an element of good fortune to Sunderland’s lack of activity on the treatment table so far this season. However, the club and manager should also be credited for an extensive summer recruitment drive that saw no fewer than 15 players come through the doors at the Stadium of Light - including Marc Guiu, who swiftly returned to Chelsea.

This has allowed Le Bris to rotate his squad when needed, especially in attack, where the likes of Wilson Isidor, Brian Brobbey, Simon Adingra, Chemsdine Talbi, Bertrand Traore and Romaine Mundle have all shared minutes.

Sunderland players have seen an average of 834 minutes on the pitch in the Premier League this season, which is just 42.22% of possible minutes at this point in the season. Squad depth has allowed Le Bris to rotate whenever required, which has lowered the physical load on his players.

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