Sunderland Surpass Wolves, Brentford, and Burnley in Key Premier League Metric Despite Attacking Struggles

Sunderland’s return to the Premier League has been marked by grit, structure, and a promising start under head coach Régis Le Bris. With seven points from their first four matches, the Black Cats sit comfortably in the mid-table — a solid foundation for a newly promoted side. But while the results have been encouraging, a deeper look into the numbers reveals room for improvement, particularly in attack.

Expected Goals: Sunderland Rank 17th

According to data shared by the Sunderland Echo, Sunderland currently rank 17th in the Premier League for expected goals (xG), with a figure of 1.06 per match. That places them above Wolverhampton Wanderers (1.01), Brentford (0.98), and Burnley (0.85), but still behind fellow promoted side Leeds United (1.12).

Here’s how the top of the xG table looks:

Promising Results, Modest Output

Despite their low xG ranking, Sunderland have managed to collect points in three of their four matches — a testament to their defensive organization and ability to capitalize on key moments. Clean sheets against West Ham and Crystal Palace, along with a comeback win over Brentford, have demonstrated the team’s resilience.

However, the numbers suggest that Sunderland are not creating high-quality chances consistently. Le Bris will be aware that long-term success in the Premier League requires more attacking threat, especially against teams that sit deep or dominate possession.

Le Bris’ Tactical Challenge

The French manager has brought structure and discipline to Sunderland’s play, but unlocking the full potential of his attacking unit remains a work in progress. With creative players like Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fée, and Bertrand Traoré in the squad, there’s reason to believe the goals will come — but the system must evolve to generate more clear-cut opportunities.

Looking Ahead

Sunderland’s next test comes against Aston Villa, a side struggling to find form. It’s a chance for Le Bris’ men to not only secure another positive result but also show signs of improvement in the final third.

While the xG numbers highlight a current limitation, they also underscore how well Sunderland have performed despite it. If Le Bris can fine-tune the attack, the Black Cats could turn a solid start into something truly special.