Sunderland roundup: 12th after mixed start, with Arsenal and Manchester City next

Three matches into the Premier League season, Sunderland's record reads one win, one draw and one defeat. It is a start that has planted them in mid-table — and it is about to be tested by the division's top two in succession.

Where Sunderland stand

According to the Premier League table, the Black Cats sit 12th with four points from three games, level with Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion but below both on goal difference. They have scored three goals and conceded three, leaving a goal difference of zero and a form line of DWL.

The results so far

• Brentford 1-1 Sunderland — an opening away point against a side now sitting fifth
• Sunderland 1-0 Fulham — a first win of the campaign at the Stadium of Light, against opponents still searching for a point
• Ipswich Town 2-1 Sunderland — a defeat last time out against 14th-placed opponents

The goals

The scoring has been shared rather than concentrated. According to the league's scoring data, E. Le Fee, N. Angulo and W. Isidor have one goal apiece, and no Sunderland player has yet found the net twice.

Arsenal at the Stadium of Light

The run begins this evening, when Arsenal visit the Stadium of Light. According to the Premier League table, the visitors arrive second with a perfect nine points from three games, six goals scored and one conceded. Bookmaker odds make Arsenal favourites at 1.48, with the draw at 4.25 and Sunderland at 7.5 — bookmaker-derived implied probabilities of 65 per cent for an Arsenal win, 22 per cent for the draw and 13 per cent for a Sunderland victory. FanTribe's points on offer reflect the size of the task: 150 points for correctly calling a Sunderland win, 85 for the draw and 30 for an Arsenal victory.

Then, Manchester City

There is little let-up afterwards. Sunderland travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 20 September to face Manchester City, who lead the table on nine points with seven goals scored and two conceded. The bookmakers price City at 1.25 — a bookmaker-derived implied probability of 75 per cent — with the draw at 5.6 and Sunderland at 11, an 8 per cent chance in the market's terms. On FanTribe, the points on offer are 25 for a City win, 112 for the draw and 220 for a Sunderland victory, the largest haul available for a Sunderland win across the two fixtures.

The outlook

The early table shows how fine the margins are: a single point covers fifth-placed Brentford down to Sunderland in 12th, and the Black Cats sit three points clear of the bottom three. Take something from Arsenal or City and a steady start becomes a strong one; take nothing, and mid-table becomes a foothold to defend.