The stats boffins at Opta have predicted Sunderland’s final position in this season’s Premier League table.
Regis Le Bris’ side made a nightmare start at St James Park as Anthony Gordon punished a Luke O’Nien header to fire the Magpies in front inside the opening ten minutes. However, not for the first time this season, Sunderland showed the never-say-die spirit and mentality that has led them to producing some outstanding results and performances to surpass all expectations on their return to English football’s top tier.
An equaliser arrived just before the hour-mark when Chemsdine Talbi fired home from close range and that seemed to trigger some nerves on and off the pitch for the men in the black and white. Sunderland sensed blood and drove forward looking to deal a decisive blow and secure a famous league double over the Magpies that extended their unbeaten run in league derby fixtures to an eleventh game.
That blow duly arrived in the final minute as Brobbey elevated his already cult hero status by beating hosts keeper Aaron Ramsdale at the second attempt to set off wild celebrations high up in the away end at St James Park. The final whistle and results elsewhere over the weekend ensured Sunderland are sitting in eleventh place in the Premier League and they are now just three points adrift of the European places. So could only a second European campaign in the club’s history be on the cards and where are Sunderland predicted to finish in this season’s Premier League table? We take a look with the help of the stats boffins at Opta.
Where are Sunderland predicted to finish in this season’s Premier League?
1st: Arsenal - 84.77 points
2nd: Manchester City - 74.45 points
3rd: Manchester United - 66.06 points
4th: Aston Villa - 65.04 points
5th: Liverpool - 60.37 points
6th: Chelsea - 58.35 points
7th: Brentford - 55.63 points
8th: Everton - 55.31 points
9th: Brighton and Hove Albion - 53.78 points
10th: Newcastle United - 52.03 points
11th: Fulham - 51.92 points
12th: Sunderland - 51.15 points
13th: AFC Bournemouth - 50.88 points
14th: Crystal Palace - 47.92 points
15th: Leeds United - 41.93 points
16th: Nottingham Forest - 40.61 points
17th: Tottenham Hotspur - 38.87 points
18th: West Ham United - 36.99 points
19th: Burnley - 26.21 points
20th: Wolverhampton Wanderers - 24.95 points
What did Regis Le Bris say about Sunderland’s Tyne-Wear derby win at Newcastle United?
The Sunderland bench celebrates.placeholder image
The Sunderland bench celebrates. | AFP via Getty Images.
Speaking after the game, the Black Cats boss said: “Big achievement, winning two derbies in the same year, it means a lot for us, it means a lot for the group and the quality we showed. This game was tough, as expected, because we know that Newcastle has this ability to go strong, especially during the first half, to generate momentum.
“The crowd as well, they were intense - we conceded the goal, our mistake, which can happen. The team reacted well, it was important to stay 1-0, to have the ability to realign the team during the half-time. It was okay, and we showed what we wanted to show during the second half. This win means a lot for us, as a team, as a coach, as a staff, for our fans as well. We have two games against Newcastle, and they play at a big level, they played in the Champions League last week, so it means a lot. It's another stage, and we want to get better.”
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