Sunderland Stats Fans Must Pay Attention To After Premier League Start

Sunderland have started the Premier League campaign in poor form and sit in the relegation zone after the first ten games, but the underlying statistics suggest to supporters that improvement is on the horizon following the international break.

As Sunderland stars fly their national flags during the international break, it offers time for Regis Le Bris, his players, and the Black Cats faithful to reflect on the season so far, which has been turbulent to say the least.

Sunderland have severely struggled in the first ten games of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign, securing just two wins and suffering six defeats in the process, but went into the break with a renewed sense of optimism after an outstanding 1-0 win over Chelsea in a much-improved performance.

Sunderland looked back to their trademark best against Xabi Alonso's side, with their grit, determination and effectiveness proving too much for the Blues to handle, seeing Brian Brobbey bully the opposition backline and Enzo Le Fee emphatically dispatch the game-winning penalty.

After the international break, Sunderland conclude November's top flight fixture list with two inevitably testing fixtures, being the trip to Aston Villa on November 21 before hosting Tottenham the following weekend.

Although these will be difficult opponents for Le Bris' side to take points off, their performance against Chelsea, combined with some hope-providing underlying data from their Premier League start, can offer credence to Sunderland using the Chelsea win as a resurgency springboard.

Although Sunderland have struggled at times in every third so far this season, with some tragic defensive displays akin to the Bournemouth and Coventry City defeats, the main issue for the Black Cats has been in the final third.

Sunderland have struggled to score goals from open play so far this campaign, and sit bottom of the league in this metric with just three goals from open play in the Premier League after the first ten games.

However, the underlying data suggests that in the coming stages of the campaign, Sunderland's goalscoring form could soon turn a corner.

According to FotMob data, Sunderland have the eighth-highest expected goals (xG) in the Premier League so far this season at 15.6, above the likes of Chelsea, Aston Villa and Spurs, but have netted just eight times.

Moreover, the Black Cats are creating a solid amount of chances, with 27 big chances made so far this season, but where Le Bris' side are letting themselves down in the final third is the task of finishing those chances.

Sunderland sit seventh in the top flight for big chances missed at 20, with the maths outlining that Le Bris' side have dispatched just seven of those 27 big chances created, suggesting that the salient issue to solve is finding their finishing boots.

In a recent example, Brobbey missed a glaring chance to open the scoring for Sunderland in the early stages against Chelsea after latching onto a teasing cross from Chemsdine Talbi, and later rounded the Blues' backline but fired wide of Mike Penders' goal yet again.

If Brobbey, Wilson Isidor, and the rest of Sunderland's attacking talent can become more prolific in the coming stages, this could be key to a resurgent run after the internationals.

Scoring goals in the Premier League is easier said then done, but the chances created show that improved form will come for Le Bris' side in the next stage of the campaign by trusting their process.

The fact that Sunderland are clearly getting themselves into potential scoring positions from open play is the statistic that should offer the Stadium of Light faithful salvation for how the next stage of the season will play out.

Hopefully, it will only be a matter of time before Le Bris' side turns those chances missed into chances scored, points, and wins.

Don't forget to sign up for FREE. It takes 30 seconds and means you can comment, like, and receive notifications when we post an article! Click JOIN at the top.