Opta supercomputer predicts Sunderland's final Premier League finish
The stat gurus at Opta have predicted where Sunderland will finish in the final Premier League table.
Just when Sunderland looked to be falling away, they’ve taken four points from two games and are still intent on finishing in the top half of the Premier League table.
The Black Cats ended a three-match league losing streak with a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth last week, before a Habib Diarra penalty delivered a 1-0 win at Leeds United on Tuesday - their first victory in top-flight play since the start of February.
As a result, Regis Le Bris’ men sit 11th, already hitting the 40-point mark after just 29 games. Sunderland are 12 points clear of the relegation zone, and just four points adrift of the top seven. So, where are they most likely to finish come the end of the season? We’ve turned to the Opta Supercomputer for answers.
Final predicted Premier League table
- Arsenal (92.84%)
- Manchester City (88.31%)
- Manchester United (29.78%)
- Aston Villa (33.84%)
- Chelsea (25.73%)
- Liverpool (23.62%)
- Brentford (18.65%)
- Everton (17.93%)
- AFC Bournemouth (16.01%)
- Fulham (15.99%)
- Sunderland (16.01%)
- Newcastle United (15.51%)
- Brighton & Hove Albion (15.84%)
- Crystal Palace (24.47%)
- Leeds United (28.52%)
- Tottenham Hotspur (25.78%)
- Nottingham Forest (35.8%)
- West Ham United (52.72%)
- Burnley (62.85%)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers (66.36%)
Sunderland’s most likely finishing position at the end of this season is the one they currently occupy, at 16.01%. While supporters would be slightly disappointed not to see the club attain a top-half finish after their great start, 11th would still represent an excellent return to the Premier League. What’s more, Opta believe that would be enough to see them end up above arch-rivals Newcastle United (12th), as well as FA Cup holders Crystal Palace (14th) and Europa League champions Tottenham Hotspur (16th) - the latter enduring a dreadful campaign so far.
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Further up the table, Arsenal are predicted to win the Premier League title, with their chances boosted off the back of a three-game winning streak over Tottenham, Chelsea and Brighton, following disappointing draws against Brentford and Wolves. Manchester City and Manchester United are expected to finish second and third, respectively, with Aston Villa rounding out the top four. Meanwhile, Liverpool look set to miss out on Champions League qualification, sitting sixth, just behind Chelsea.
Rather than looking too far ahead, Le Bris will be focusing on Sunderland’s next fixtures, first away at Port Vale in the FA Cup, before hosting Brighton in league play.