Sunderland roundup: Brobbey's three goals a bright spot in 14th-place start

According to the Premier League table, Sunderland sit 14th after five matches, with one win, one draw and three defeats. Six goals scored and 10 conceded leave the Black Cats on a goal difference of -4 and four points — level with Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, and one point clear of Bournemouth and Coventry.

The form guide reads LLDWL, and the table's form data shows the most recent of those five matches ended in defeat.

The results on record

The campaign has included a 5-3 defeat away to Manchester City — the table-toppers, with a perfect 15 points from five games — a 2-0 home loss to second-placed Arsenal, who have 12, and a 1-1 draw at Brentford, one of the division's unbeaten sides on nine points. Scoring three times against the leaders accounts for half of Sunderland's output so far.

Brobbey carrying the goals

FanTribe's scoring data shows Brian Brobbey leading the club's charts with three league goals, with Enzo Le Fée, N. Angulo and W. Isidor on one apiece. The goals have been shared around, but Brobbey has shouldered half of them.

Brighton at the Stadium of Light

Sunderland's next outing comes on 10 October, when Brighton & Hove Albion visit Wearside. The Seagulls arrive third in the table on 10 points, with 16 goals to their name — more than any other side in the Premier League table.

Bookmaker odds supplied via API-Football, and correct as of 20 September, make Brighton favourites at 2.49 — a bookmaker-derived implied probability of 38% — with Sunderland at 2.8 (34%) and the draw at 3.38 (28%). On FanTribe, a Sunderland win is worth 56 points, with 68 on offer for a draw and 50 for a Brighton victory.

Then Bournemouth away

A trip to the Vitality Stadium follows on 18 October. Bournemouth are winless so far, with three points from five matches according to the table, yet the market leans towards the hosts: bookmaker odds of 1.75 for a Bournemouth win, a 54% implied probability, with Sunderland at 4.5 (21%) and the draw at 3.88 (25%). FanTribe's points on offer mirror that: 90 for a Sunderland victory, 78 for the draw and 35 for the home side.

The FanTribe picture

FanTribe's club data currently lists zero registered Sunderland fans on the platform — a blank slate for a club synonymous with passionate support. The first Mackems to join would be the founding voices here, with Brighton's visit and a trip to the south coast to come in October.