The stats experts at Opta have produced their latest predicted final Europa League table.

Sunderland are aiming to preserve what has been a perfect start to their maiden Europa League campaign when they travel to Polish champions Lech Poznan on Thursday.

The Black Cats have already claimed maximum points from a memorable home win against Dutch Cup winners AZ Alkmaar and last week’s trip to Portuguese second tier side Torreense as a last-gasp Noah Sadiki goal made it six points from two games for Regis Le Bris’ side. By contrast, Lech are yet to secure a point from their first two games of the league phase after they suffered a pair of 4-0 defeats against Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen that ensured they are sitting at the bottom of the table ahead of their home game with the Black Cats.

Sunderland players and fans celebrate after late Europa League drama. | Getty Images

placeholder image — Sunderland players and fans celebrate after late Europa League drama. | Getty Images

With the two sides experiencing contrasting fortunes, we take a look at the latest predicted final Europa League table pieced together by the stats experts at Opta.

Opta’s predicted final Europa League table

1. Benfica - 18.50 points

2. Bournemouth - 18.16 points

3. Bayer Leverkusen - 17.71 points

4. Sunderland - 16.46 points

5. Juventus - 16.44 points

6. Olympiakos - 16.23 points

7. Lyon - 15.57 points

8. Ferencvaros - 15.07 points

9. Real Union Saint-Gilloise - 14.97 points

10. Omonia Nicosia - 14.34 points

11. Crystal Palace - 14.01 points

12. Besiktas - 13.38 points

13. AC Milan - 13.01 points

14. Rennes - 12.98 points

15. Dinamo Zagreb - 12.21 points

16. RB Salzburg - 11.18 points

17. AZ Alkmaar - 10.99 points

18. Real Sociedad - 10.46 points

19. Sparta - 10.41 points

20. Sturm Graz - 9.07 points

21. Marseille - 8.90 points

22. Jagiellonia - 8.56 points

23. Anderlecht - 8.55 points

24. Celta Vigo - 8.33 points

25. Lech Poznan - 8.30 points

26. Levski Sofia - 8.15 points

27. Hoffenheim - 7.63 points

28. OFI Crete - 7.58 points

29. Celtic - 7.39 points

30. Torreense - 7.27 points

31. NEC - 7.08 points

32. Viktoria Plzen - 6.91 points

33. Hapoel Be’er Sheva - 6.85 points

34. Ararat-Armenia - 6.05 points

35. Lillestrom - 5.95 points

36. Celje - 5.78 points

The Echo’s Europa League coverage is sponsored by Amari Plastics. Covering all of North East England and Cumbria, Amari Plastics launched in 1975 and has built a reputation as the region's leading plastic distributor. During this time, we’ve established strong working relationships with businesses in three main market sectors: sign, display & large format printing, building & construction and industrial & engineering.

Your next Sunderland read: James Copley: My honest verdict on Régis Le Bris as Sunderland hit bottom and pressure mounts