Sunderland’s form over the last ten games compared to their rivals in the race for European competition.
Very few pundits expected Sunderland to be in the mix for European places when they secured promotion into the Premier League with a Championship play-off final win against Sheffield United.
Yet with just a month remaining in their first season back in the top flight, there is no doubt the Black Cats are firmly in the race to secure European football for only the second time in their history.
Fuelled by an overwhelmingly ambitious and positive summer transfer window, Regis Le Bris’ side have produced some exceptional results by claiming wins against the likes of Chelsea and Nottingham Forest and battling their way to deserved draws with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool - and who can forget the historic league double over local rivals Newcastle United.
All of that means Sunderland head into the final month of the season sitting in tenth place in the Premier League table - but they are just one point adrift of the top seven and a further five points adrift of the top five. With English clubs performing so well in Europe, additional places could be on offer in next season’s three major competitions - but how are Sunderland faring heading into the final weeks of an already memorable campaign?
We take a look at how the Black Cats form over the last ten games compares to their rivals across the Premier League as they prepare to travel to face an Aston Villa side sitting firmly in the race for a spot in the Champions League.
Premier League ten-game form table
1. Manchester City - 21 points 2. Arsenal - 20 points 3. Manchester United - 20 points 4. AFC Bournemouth - 18 points 5. Liverpool - 16 points 6. Brighton and Hove Albion - 16 points 7. West Ham United - 15 points 8. Everton - 15 points 9. Chelsea - 14 points 10. Crystal Palace - 14 points 11. Brentford - 14 points 12. Fulham - 13 points 13. Sunderland - 13 points 14. Aston Villa - 12 points 15. Nottingham Forest - 11 points 16. Leeds United - 11 points 17. Newcastle United - 9 points 18. Wolverhampton Wanderers - 9 points 19. Burnley - 6 points 10. Tottenham Hotspur - 3 points
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