Sunderland Premier League Odds: Black Cats face a battle to stay up

Sunderland are back in the Premier League after an eight-year absence, which has seen them spend four years in League 1. The Black Cats navigated their way through the Championship play-offs last term and they have been adding to their squad over the summer.

The Wearside outfit are currently splitting opinion on where football fans think they will finish this season. Below you will find my thoughts on how I think their campaign will unfold, using Betfred's Sunderland Premier League Odds.

Regis Le Bris was an unknown entity in England when he joined Sunderland last summer, but he has quickly built up his reputation on these shores. Where others have failed, he guided a squad mostly made up of young players to the Premier League, and at times last year they were one of the best teams to watch in the second tier.

Premier League Odds

They had some exciting talents in Jobe Bellingham, Tommy Watson, Dan Neil, Elizier Mayenda, Chris Rigg and Romaine Mundle. Bellingham and Watson have moved on this summer to Borussia Dortmund and Brighton & Hove Albion, but the Black Cats have signed some impressive replacements, but more on them later.

Le Bris reaffirmed his commitment to the club in recent weeks by signing a new contract, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2028. It's a statement of intent from the club hierarchy and the coach himself, who believe that not only can the Black Cats stabilise back in the top flight but grow to compete at this level, too.

However, as we have seen many times in recent history, a lot of newly-promoted teams struggle in their first year and find it really difficult to stay up. Last season saw all the three promoted sides: Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton drop back down to the second tier.

There is no doubt this first season back in the big time will have its challenges, but Sunderland are working hard to ensure they are in a strong position in their bid for survival.

Transfer Business:

In: Habib Diarra (£30m, Strasbourg), Simon Adingra (£21m, Brighton & Hove Albion), Enzo Le Fee (£20m, Roma), Chemsdine Talbi (£18m, Club Brugge), Noah Sadiki (£15m, Union Saint-Gilloise), Granit Xhaka (£17m, Bayer Leverkusen), Omar Alderete (£10m, Getafe), Robin Roefs (£9m, NEC Nijmegen), Reinildo (free, Atletico Madrid), Arthur Masuaku (free, Besiktas) and Marc Guiu (loan, Chelsea).

Out: Jobe Bellingham (£27.8m, Borussia Dortmund), Tommy Watson (£10m, Brighton & Hove Albion), Nathan Bishop (undisclosed, AFC Wimbledon) and Adil Aouchiche (loan, Aberdeen).

Sunderland have not waited around to help strengthen their squad ahead of their return to the top flight and there have been some eye-catching signings. I think Granit Xhaka is an excellent addition in the middle of the park and he will contribute a lot defensively and offensively for the Black Cats.

The former Arsenal man was a joy to watch in his last Premier League campaign with the Gunners once he was played in his more comfortable position. He will add grit and class to Sunderland's midfield and it will be captivating to see him in action in the Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle United.

Football Odds

Habib Diarra arrives with a good reputation from France and the club have splashed out on him, so he will look to be another huge presence in the midfield. Simon Adingra is an exciting winger who still has a lot more to offer at this level, he just seemed to fall out of favour at Brighton under Fabian Hurzeler.

Artur Masuaku provides Premier League experience from his time at West Ham United, but a lot of eyes will be on Chelsea loanee Marc Guiu, who many are hoping for a breakthrough season from the young Spanish forward.

Key Player: Granit Xhaka

I was very impressed by this signing, which I see as a huge get for Sunderland. The Swiss international has years of experience in this division that will be a huge boost for the Black Cats.

He has just had a fruitful spell at Bayer Leverkusen, winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, while reaching the Uefa Europa League final. Xhaka is a leader and his qualities will be a huge asset for Sunderland in their quest for survival in 2025/26.

As I mentioned above, he is good with and without the ball and he will bring some much-needed composure to the midfield that a newly-promoted club needs.

Prediction: 18th

Sorry, Sunderland fans. Right now it does feel like an immediate return to the Championship awaits this term. But if it's any consolation, I think you have the best survival hopes amongst your fellow promoted sides Leeds United and Burnley.

You've recruited well while they look like they still have some ways to go to get their squads in a stronger position for the Premier League. Signings aren't everything, though, as sometimes they work and sometimes they don't.

It's going to be a long, old season and I think we could see Sunderland really struggle over the winter. That's when the Africa Cup of Nations take place, and the Black Cats will be braced to lose several of their key players - which can have a detrimental effect on their league performance.

Whether or not they will have enough to cope with those losses remains to be seen, but it doesn't fill you with confidence. For that reason, we have Sunderland finishing third-bottom.

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