Sunderland are certainly the surprise package of the Premier League season so far. Regis Le Bris’ high-flying side currently sit in sixth position after accumulating an impressive tally of 23 points from a possible 42 (W6, D5, L3).
However, Sunderland are still relegation candidates despite superb start, given they have a string of difficult fixtures ahead before the end of 2025.
We investigate why Sunderland are exceeding their pre-season expectations this season, but what fate could potentially befall them.
Newly Promoted Have Not Fared Well in Recent Seasons
Newly promoted sides have struggled across the previous two campaigns, so Sunderland’s impressive start is a breath of fresh air.
Notably, in both 2023/24 and 2024/25, all six ascended clubs were relegated immediately.
Sheffield United, Luton Town and Burnley were sent immediately packing for the Championship two seasons ago, and last year saw Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town suffer the same fate.
The highest number of points amassed by those six sides was Luton’s mere tally of 26. Fast-forward to this season, and Sunderland find themselves just three points off that points haul.
The Best Newly 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 match Ipswich’s 60 points in the 2001/02 campaign, which is the highest total from a newly-promoted side in a 38-game season.
Sunderland are currently averaging 1.64 points per-game, so if they are to continue at their current rate, they would finish the season with 62 points.
That would have been enough for a top-eight finish in each of the last two seasons.
Sunderland’s Heavy Summer Investment
It appears to be money well-spent for Sunderland so far.
Recently, Sunderland chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus said he was targeting a top-10 finish this season, and their summer business was a signal of this intent.
The Stadium of Light upper echelons certainly opened up the cheque book, securing the signatures of no less than 15 new members of playing staff.
Habib Diarra, Simon Adingra, Enzo Le Fée, Brian Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi, Noah Sadiki and Granit Xhaka were among the 14 signings, totalling £155m.
History has shown that this scatter-gun approach typically requires a settling-in period, but the Black Cats have hit the ground running, and investment has been careful and considered.
Sunderland’s Defensive Record is Fuelling Their 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. Take a look at the 2024/25 campaign, for example, when all three relegated sides conceded 80 goals or more.
It wasn’t much better the previous season when bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United conceded a staggering 104 goals, closely followed by Luton’s 85 and Burnley’s 78.
However, Sunderland’s expertly marshalled defence has been paramount in their early-season success. Putting 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 Need to Rewrite History Against Manchester City
Sunderland make the journey to Manchester City on Saturday, only one point adrift of Champions League qualification.
Sunderland will need to rewrite the history books if they are to celebrate at the sound of the final whistle – they are without a win over City since 2013.
What goes against the visitors is Pep Guardiola’s side have been strong at home, winning eight of their nine previous matches at the Etihad Stadium.
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