Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris pre-match with a neutral expression.

Sunderland manager Regis Le BrisImago

Supercomputer predicts Sunderland's chances of winning Europa League

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at Reach PLC and PA Media; University of Central Lancashire graduate. FOCUS Fan-engagement content and match analysis across the Premier League and Championship. THE INSIGHT Oliver utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified reporting and fan-first content. He provides the human stories behind the results to ensure fans get the full picture as it happens.

Published on:

15 Sep 2026, 2:08 pm

Sunderland are among the favourites to win the Europa League this season with Opta's supercomputer.

The Black Cats are back on the continental stage for the first time since 1973 after qualifying for the Europa League last season.

They retained their best players and completed some high-profile recruitment over the summer in preparation for their European return.

AZ Alkmaar visit the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night for the opening fixture of the UEL league stage in front of a sold-out home crowd.

Opta's supercomputer has rated Sunderland as the fifth-favourites to win the competition ahead of kick-off.

Regis Le Bris' side will want to get off to a good start in midweek, with a rotated side set to be named after their weekend defeat to Arsenal.

Opta give Sunderland an 8.44% chance of winning the Europa League

Sunderland's loss to the champions on home turf was their second in the opening four matches of the new league campaign.

They sit 14th in the top flight as it stands, and will have to finish in the top eight of the Europa League league phase to earn automatic qualification to the round of 16.

The Black Cats face AZ this week, then their other five league stage fixtures come against Torreense, Lech Poznan, Dinamo Zagreb, Jagiellonia and AC Milan.

Opta have given them an 8.44 per cent chance of winning the competition, meaning they are the fifth-favourites before a ball has been kicked.

Benfica are the favourites to win it, at 14.31 per cent, while Bournemouth come in at 14.21 per cent likely and Bayer Leverkusen and Union SG are also ahead of the Black Cats.

Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Sunderland set for 'massive loss of revenue' - Finance Guru

Where are Sunderland predicted to finish in the Premier League?

Sources have revealed to Football Insider that Sunderland are set for a "massive" loss of revenue as they continue without a front-of-shirt sponsor, with talks stalling in recent days over a deal with Visit Ghana.

Winning the Europa League to qualify for the Champions League would certainly make up for that, especially as they could struggle to finish in the European places in the Premier League this season.

Opta are currently predicting them to finish 17th in the top flight on 45 points, with a 24.77 per cent chance of relegation as they battle on several fronts.

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