Sunderland will face Brighton and Bournemouth when they return to Premier League action after the international break.

It has been a challenging start to the Premier League season for Sunderland as they look to build on what was an overwhelmingly positive first year back in the top tier of English football.

Last season’s seventh place finish and subsequent qualification for the Europa League surpassed all expectations in the aftermath of the Championship play-off final win against Sheffield United - and also raised hopes a brighter future lies ahead for the Black Cats.

Wilson Isidor of Sunderland celebrates scoring in the home win against Fulham. | Getty Images.

placeholder image — Wilson Isidor of Sunderland celebrates scoring in the home win against Fulham. | Getty Images.

Sunderland are now viewed as an awkward proposition for the great and the good of the Premier League - and that has been shown by the severe tests title contenders Arsenal and Manchester City had to overcome when they faced Regis Le Bris’ side in the week before the first international break of the season. The Black Cats have claimed four points from their first five games of the campaign - but they have faced three clubs currently sitting in the top four of the table. So where are Le Bris’ side predicted to finish in the table when the season comes to a close next May?

Using a model that assesses the difficulty of fixtures yet to be played, form and their own power rankings, the stats experts at Opta have calculated a predicted final Premier League table with each club’s most likely final position set out. So how do Sunderland and their top flight rivals fare in the latest predicted table?

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