Opta predicts Sunderland ninth and Chelsea 10th before final-day showdown | OneFootball

Sunderland can secure a place in European football when they host Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on the Premier League’s final day.

Opta’s predicted final Premier League table places Sunderland ninth on 52.33 points and Chelsea 10th on 52.07, with Arsenal first and Manchester City second. It also projects West Ham United, Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers to finish in the bottom three.

Few expected this scenario at the start, only months after promotion via the Championship play-off final against Sheffield United. In their first season back, the Black Cats have taken the bid for Europe to the last 90 minutes.

After Sunday’s win at Everton, head coach Regis Le Bris urged focus, saying the opportunity is real but not secured. He stressed standards must not slip and warned against daydreaming, referencing a painful recent home defeat by Nottingham Forest.

Victory over Chelsea could deliver European football if results elsewhere fall in Sunderland’s favour.

Source: Sunderland Echo