Predicted Premier League table as Sunderland return to action | OneFootball

The Premier League returns this weekend and Sunderland will look to move on from their FA Cup upset, with Opta’s model outlining where they are most likely to finish.

Regis Le Bris’ side lost 1-0 at Port Vale, the League One basement club, Ben Waine scoring in the 28th minute. Sunderland mustered 17 shots and 69% possession but could not find a reply.

Attention now turns to maximising league position. A 1-0 win at Leeds United last week took them to 40 points with nine games left, allowing a freer run-in that starts at home to Brighton this weekend.

The projections put their single most probable slot at 13th, 16.56%, yet no club has a higher chance of 12th, 16.25%. That would be a one-place drop from their current standing and would see Newcastle, currently 12th, projected ninth.

Elsewhere in the projections, Arsenal are 94.44% likely to end their long title wait. Burnley and Leeds are forecast to finish 19th and 16th, at 63.17% and 32.53%. Tottenham are backed to climb to 15th despite five straight league defeats and two wins in 20.

Source: Sunderland Echo