Sunderland could be set for a tough season back in the Championship according to our in-house supercomputer. Our supercomputer has crunched the numbers, run the algorithm and predicts Sunderland are the favourites to be relegated from the Championship to League One with the Black Cats having been given a 65% chance of going straight back down
Of course, there is every chance Sunderland will beat our supercomputer's predictions. However, there is no doubt the jump up to the Championship will be a tough one for the Black Cats.
Their opening five fixtures against Coventry, Bristol City, QPR, Sheffield United and Stoke City should give Sunderland fans a good idea of where their side is at. There's a good mix of Championship sides with varying degrees of quality in those fixtures.
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Alongside Alex Neil' s side, who are playing their first season back in the Championship since the 2017/18 campaign, Bristol City have been given a 53% chance of joining them while Birmingham, Reading and Wigan have been given a 48%, 39% and 19% chance of relegation respectively.
The supercomputer also believes Burnley, stewarded by new manager Vincent Kompany, will win the Championship title.
The Clarets have been given a 36% chance of winning the Championship by Reach’s supercomputer, which is more than double the chance of any of their rivals.
Norwich and Watford are the next favourites, with a 15% chance each, while Sheffield United have a 12% chance of winning the league .
With second place also guaranteeing promotion, clubs are really just as happy to finish as runners-up. Burnley have a 56% chance of finishing in the top two. Norwich have a 31% chance of making the top two, Watford a 30% chance, Sheffield United a 25% chance, Huddersfield a 13% chance, Preston a 10% chance, and Luton an 8% chance.
When it comes to the playoffs, Norwich and Watford have both been given a 40% chance. Sheffield United have a 38% chance of finishing between 3rd and 6th. Burnley have a 33% chance, Huddersfield a 32% chance, Preston a 29% chance, and Luton a 27% chance.
Three clubs have been given an 18% chance of making the playoffs - West Brom, Coventry and Millwall. Blackburn and Middlesbrough have both been given a 17% chance of making the playoffs, while QPR and Stoke a 16% chance.
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