Sunderland’s opening five fixtures rank among toughest in the Premier League | OneFootball

Sunderland face one of the toughest Premier League starts, with their first five opponents averaging 93.2 in Opta’s Power Rankings, only Bournemouth are higher at 93.3. According to Sunderland Echo, the analysis covers every club’s opening run.

Opta’s system rates 10,000 teams worldwide, the strongest score 100 and the weakest zero. Arsenal are currently at 100.0, while Hull City sit on 82.2, the lowest among this season’s Premier League opponents.

The Black Cats open at Ipswich Town, then host Fulham, visit Brentford, welcome Arsenal and finish the sequence away to Manchester City.

Across the division, Manchester United rank first on 89.3, Newcastle United are second on 89.9 and Liverpool third on 90.7. A cluster of Brentford, Crystal Palace, Everton and Manchester City follow on 90.8.

Regis Le Bris’ side are building towards a historic campaign after last season’s seventh place in their first season back in the Premier League secured a Europa League debut. Pre-season began with a convincing win at York City, before a United States trip to face Liverpool, Leeds United and Championship side Wrexham.

Source: Sunderland Echo