Sunderland fans are dreaming of returning to the Premier League once again after years of trading paths in the wilderness.
The Black Cats have made a great start to the 2024/25 Championship season and find themselves at the top of the table with 29 points from 13 games.
There’s still a long way to go, and the league table could easily change in a few months’ time.
Leeds United, Sheffield United, Burnley, Watford and West Brom are all aiming to play top-tier football next season, and it’s not easy to predict which two teams will definitely clinch the automatic promotion spots.
Jeff Stelling has been left heavily impressed by Sunderland, and he thinks they will return to the Premier League next season. He adds that there will be a Tyne-Wear derby once again.
What Jeff Stelling has said about Sunderland securing automatic promotion
Speaking on talkSPORT, Stelling said: “There will be a Tyne-Wear derby once again. Sunderland clear at the top of the table.
“It may not seem a very daring prediction, but when you think of the parachute payments that some of the big boys have got there.
“You think of the strength of Leeds United, the fact that Sheffield United are coming good once again, I think would be an amazing achievement for Sunderland.
“Not necessarily to win the Championship, but for them to be promoted back to the Premier League and I think they will be.”
Sunderland have been superb so far
The pressure starts to build once we reach the final few months of the season.
Leeds looked destined to secure an automatic promotion, but they not only lost out to Leicester City and Ipswich but also lost the play-off final against Southampton.
The championship is very unpredictable, and there is no clear favourite.
Building momentum is important, and Regis Le Bris’s side is clearly doing that. They are unbeaten in their last six games in the league, winning four of them.
It is going to be a tough race, but Sunderland are heading in the right direction.
