Sunderland are certainly the surprise package of the Premier League season so far. The high-flying Regis Le Bris side currently sit in sixth place after amassing an impressive 23 points from a possible 42 (W6, D5, L3).
However, Despite an excellent start, Sunderland is still a relegation candidateas they have a series of difficult matches ahead of them before the end of 2025.
We explore why Sunderland are exceeding their pre-season expectations this season, but what fate could possibly befall them.
Newly promoted players have not fared well in recent seasons
Newly promoted sides have struggled in the last two campaigns, so Sunderland’s impressive start is a relief.
Notably, in both the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons, all six top clubs were immediately relegated.
Sheffield United, Luton Town and Burnley were immediately sent to the Championship two seasons ago, and last year Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town suffered the same fate.
The highest number of points collected by these six teams was just 26 by Luton. Fast forward to this season and Sunderland are just three points away from that number.
The best promoted sides in Premier League history
To put that into context, they need 37 points from a possible 72 before the end of the season to equal Ipswich’s 60 points in the 2001/02 season, which is the highest total by a newly promoted side in a 38-match season.
Sunderland are currently averaging 1.64 points per game, so if they want to continue at their current pace they would end the season with 62 points.
That would have been enough for a top eight finish in each of the past two seasons.
Sunderland’s heavy summer investment
It seems like money well spent for Sunderland so far.
Recently, Sunderland chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus said he was aiming for a top 10 finish this season, and their summer activities signaled this intention.
The upper echelons of Stadium of Light have certainly opened the checkbook and secured the signatures of no fewer than 15 new player staff members.
Habib Diarra, Simon Adingra, Enzo Le Fée, Brian Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi, Noah Sadiki and Granit Xhaka were among the 14 signings, with a total fee of £155m.
History has shown that this approach usually requires an adjustment period, but the Black Cats have made a flying start and have made careful and considered investments.
Sunderland’s defensive performance is fueling a renaissance
Leaking goals is fundamentally the main reason why newly promoted sides struggle to adapt to the fast-paced and unpredictable nature of the Premier League. For example, look at the 2024/25 season, when all three relegated teams conceded 80 goals or more.
Things weren’t much better last season as Sheffield United, bottom of the table, conceded a whopping 104 goals, closely followed by Luton’s 85 and Burnley’s 78.
However, Sunderland’s expertly deployed defense was crucial to their early season success. To put that into perspective, only current Premier League leaders Arsenal (7) and fifth-placed Crystal Palace (11) have conceded fewer goals than Sunderland’s 14.
Sunderland will have to rewrite history against Manchester City
Sunderland make the trip to Manchester City on Saturday, just one point behind Champions League qualification
Sunderland will have to rewrite the history books if they want to celebrate at the final whistle – they haven’t beaten City since 2013.
What contradicts the visitors is that Pep Guardiola’s side have been strong at home, winning eight of their nine previous games at the Etihad Stadium.
#promoted #team #Sunderland #track #break #record