Sunderland's new predicted final Premier League finish ahead of Bournemouth and Leeds tests | OneFootball

Opta's latest model projects Sunderland to finish 13th on 47.70 points, with Sunday’s 3-1 home defeat by Fulham sharpening the focus ahead of trips to Bournemouth and Leeds United.

Raul Jimenez struck twice and Alex Iwobi added another for Marco Silva’s side, and Enzo Le Fee converted a penalty for the hosts. Fulham became only the second team to take maximum points at the Stadium of Light this season.

Regis Le Bris’s side have just two wins in their last 10 games and sit 12th in the table. They remain four points off the top seven but need a swift return to winning ways to revive early-season momentum.

Back-to-back away tests at Bournemouth and Leeds United now await as Sunderland aim to secure at least a top-half finish. The stakes feel significant after a largely positive first half of the campaign.

The updated projections have Arsenal top on 81.62 points, ahead of Manchester City on 75.81. Aston Villa are third on 69.61 and Liverpool fourth on 64.32.

Bournemouth are projected 8th on 53.61, Fulham 11th on 51.62 and Brighton and Hove Albion 12th on 49.88. Leeds United are put at 15th on 45.28, with Tottenham Hotspur 16th on 43.39 and Nottingham Forest 17th on 39.65. West Ham United, Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers occupy the bottom three on 35.84, 29.07 and 19.52.

Source: Sunderland Echo