Sunderland xG compared to Brighton and other Premier League rivals
How have the Black Cats performed in the Premier League for chance creation so far this season?
Sunderland have once again shown their defensive resilience to take four points from their last two matches.
The Black Cats looked to be fading away after a great start to life back in the Premier League, but after three defeats, Sunderland battled to a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth before beating Sunderland 1-0 away. That ability to pick up points in close games has served Sunderland well this season, with only Liverpool (22), Manchester City (27) and Everton (33) conceding fewer goals (34). But what about their attack?
Sunderland xG compared to Premier League rivals
- Chelsea - 57.3
- Man City - 53.1
- Man Utd - 50.2
- Arsenal - 49.9
- Liverpool 47.6
- Brentford 46.0
- Bournemouth 45.6
- Newcastle - 43.8
- Crystal Palace - 43.3
- Brighton - 42.1
- Leeds - 41.4
- Fulham - 36.2
- Aston Villa - 35.4
- West Ham - 35.0
- Everton - 34.9
- Nottingham Forest - 33.5
- Tottenham - 29.0
- Sunderland - 27.0
- Wolves - 26.7
- Burnley - 24.5
Only the bottom two of Wolves and Burnley have generated less xG than Sunderland this season, with the Black Cats creating chances to the tune of just 27.0 goals according to FotMob. Strugglers Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest are just above Le Bris’ side, followed by Everton, who are similarly solid at the back but struggle to create at the other end.
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Sunderland have overperformed that xG total, netting 30 actual goals. Once again, that is the third-lowest amount in the top-flight, ahead of only Forest (28) and bottom-of-the-table Wolves (22). League leaders Arsenal are fourth for xG on 49.9, but given they boast the top-flight’s best defence with just 22 goals conceded, they hardly need to worry about scoring a deluge of goals. That being said, Mikel Arteta’s men are massively overperforming their expected goals, notching 59 strikes so far.
Chelsea have created the highest-value chances in the Premier League so far this season at 57.3 - compared to 53 actual goals scored - while Sunderland’s next top-flight opponents, Brighton, are 10th on 42.1, underperforming on 38 actual goals.
Sunderland’s next five fixtures
- 08/03/26 - Port Vale (A) - FA Cup
- 14/03/26 - Brighton (H) - Premier League
- 22/03/26 - Newcastle (A) - Premier League
- 12/04/26 - Tottenham (H)- Premier League
- 18/04/26 - Aston Villa (A) - Premier League