Sunderland will kick-off their 2022/23 Championship season in a week’s time when they host Coventry City on Sunday, July 31, and a supercomputer has predicted their first five matches. Alex Neil’s side secured a return to the Championship after a four-year absence courtesy of a 2-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers in the play-off final at Wembley in May.
The Sunderland boss has had a full pre-season to work with his squad, compared to his February introduction. His arrival heralded a remarkable upturn in fortunes as the Black Cats lost just one of their final 15 league games (W8 D6) to qualify for the play-offs.
Neil has added to his squad with the signings of centre-backs Daniel Ballard and Aji Alese from Arsenal and West Ham respectively. Jack Clarke and Leon Dajaku, who were on-loan from Tottenham Hotspur and Union Berlin respectively last season, have also signed on permanent deals.
There is much anticipation heading into the new campaign and the supercomputer from Twenty First Group has predicted Sunderland to win two of their opening five games.
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The Black Cats have been tipped as favourites to prevail against Coventry in their opening game at the Stadium of Light with a 36% win probability. Coventry enjoyed a strong campaign in the Championship last term – finishing 12th place and eleven points adrift of the play-offs.
Sunderland amassed the second-most home points (51) in League One last term – winning 18 of their 23 matches at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats were less successful on the road with a record of eight wins from 23 away matches, so it’s no coincidence that they’ve been forecast as underdogs in their trips to Bristol City, Sheffield United and Stoke City respectively.
The supercomputer has tipped Sunderland as favourites to win back-to-back home games with a 39% win probability for the visit of Queens Park Rangers on 13 August.
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