Tony Mowbray's Sunderland were one of the surprise packages in the Championship last season as they secured a play-off spot in their first season back in the second tier. After a four year absence in League One, very few would have predicted such a positive campaign.
The Black Cats were narrowly beaten by eventual promotion winners Luton Town over the course of two legs in the play-off semi-final. A positive summer transfer window to date has sparked a fresh wave of optimism ahead of next season.
However, a supercomputer produced by BonusCodeBets hasn't quite bought into that optimism. Sunderland are predicted to finish in 11th place - five places lower than last season.
The loss of Amad Diallo and the strength of the recent relegated Premier League sides may play a part in that prediction, but it won't bother Sunderland supporters who'll be happy to fly under the radar. The Black Cats have been linked with a return for Diallo this summer and he's said to be keen on a return, while talisman Ross Stewart is also set to return to training after a lengthy lay-off.
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The Wearsiders are expected to be in a much stronger position come the start of the season. Leicester City are expected to finish top of the pile, with Leeds United also tipped to win promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Southampton are expected to finish in third, while Middlesbrough, Norwich City and Watford make up the rest of the play-off picture. West Brom are tipped to finish just outside the play-offs, with Stoke City, Coventry and newly promoted Ipswich Town predicted to finish above the Black Cats.
Birmingham City, Rotherham United and PLymouth Argyle are expected to be relegated to LEague One come the end of the season.
Predicted Championship table
- Leicester City
- Leeds United
- Southampton
- Middlesbrough
- Norwich
- Watford
- West Brom
- Stoke
- Coventry
- Ipswich
- Sunderland
- Blackburn
- Millwall
- Swansea
- Hull City
- Preston
- Cardiff City
- Bristol City
- Sheffield Wednesday
- QPR
- Huddersfield
- Birmingham
- Rotherham
- Plymouth
