Sunderland odds: From relegation favourites to European outsiders after historic Premier League start

Sunderland have made a sensational start to the Premier League season. The Black Cats returned to the top-flight as Tom Watson’s late strike saw them secure promotion at Sheffield United’s expense back in May, ending an eight-year spell out of the top tier.

A 2-1 win over Chelsea on Saturday means Sunderland have made the best nine-game start to a Premier League season by a promoted side since Hull back in 2018. Victory at Stamford Bridge took them to 17 points, level with Tottenham and just five off league leaders Arsenal.

Regis Le Bris’ side are exceeding expectations and then some. The Frenchman is overseeing just his second ever season in English football, having masterminded playoff success in his debut campaign at the Stadium of Light helm. But just how far will Sunderland go this season?

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It’s early days, but we look at how the Black Cats may fare in the coming campaign, be it safety or a European finish.

Sunderland vs Everton match odds

Sunderland will be out to make it six wins from their opening 10 league matches when they welcome Everton to the Stadium of Light on Monday night. Le Bris’ side have been nigh-on unstoppable on home turf this season, collecting 10 points from the opening four games.

Even then, the blip on the record book was a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, a result secured despite being reduced to 10 men on the half hour mark. Everton, meanwhile, don’t have the best away record in England’s top tier this term, losing three of four matches on the road. The only triumph was a 3-2 win at winless Wolves.

And yet Sunderland are at 9/5 with William Hill to beat Everton on Monday night, a 35.7% implied probability that the Black Cats will claim all the spoils next week. A draw is at 9/4 with BetMGM, while an Everton win is at 7/4 with Betfred.

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Sunderland top six finish odds

Is European football on the cards? Never say never for the Black Cats, who’d give up all of their nine lives in order to secure a top six finish. While a Premier League season is a marathon rather than a sprint, Sunderland’s start to the campaign offers cause for optimism among supporters.

It wouldn’t be the first time a team had secured a European finish in the season after their promotion. Heck, Sunderland came close to doing so at the turn of the Millennium, ultimately finishing seventh as they missed out on European qualification on goal difference only back in 2000.

While they're way down the table when it comes to Premier League winner odds, Sunderland are at a best price of 28/1 with Paddy Power to finish in the top six and with just the league – for now – to focus on, stranger things have happened. 

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Sunderland top half finish odds 

To some Sunderland fans, a 17th-placed finish would be cause for celebration. Just to beat the drop is the aim for the Black Cats, even after their stunning start to the season. A top half finish, though, shouldn’t be out of the question. On current form, they’re among the best in England.

The issue, though, will come in the festive period. Not only may Sunderland lose a number of players to AFCON, which kicks off in mid-December, they also have a tough end to the year. Indeed, they’ll face Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester City – twice – to see out 2025.

A top half finish, therefore, is still at a best price of 5/1 with Paddy Power, and a more realistic aim for Sunderland.

Sunderland relegation odds

“For us the target always remains the same. We want to reach this target of 40 points more or less as soon as possible,” Le Bris said after Sunderland’s win at Chelsea on Saturday. The magic 40-point mark is the aim for a number of Premier League teams.

That said, the last time Sunderland beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge back in 2014, they managed to stave off relegation with 38 points. Compared to the likes of Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton, Sunderland seemed far better equipped to survive, and it means they are now at a best price of 15/2 with Ladbrokes to be relegated.

Premier League regulars Fulham and West Ham are at shorter prices than the Black Cats, who should be able to start looking up rather than down sooner than expected this season.