The excitement is building as Leeds United, Sunderland and Burnley prepare for their big return to the Premier League after securing promotion from the Championship last season.
All three clubs have been busy during the summer transfer window and will hope the fruits of their labour are shown when the new campaign gets underway next month. There is something of a trend to buck for the trio as they look to avoid the same fate suffered by a number of promoted clubs in recent seasons after they suffered an immediate return to the second tier - but how are Leeds, Sunderland and Burnley predicted to fare in the top flight.
We asked AI to predict how the Premier League table will look when the 2025/26 season comes to a close and to explain the reasons behind the predicted finishes.
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19. 19th: Burnley - 36 points
Grok3: Burnley’s promotion (100 points, 16 goals conceded in the Championship) brings defensive solidity, but a projected 19th-place finish aligns with the promoted-team relegation trend. Potential loss of James Trafford and other defensive stars weakens them, though they’re expected to fight harder than last season’s relegated sides. Photo: Matt McNulty
20. 20th: Sunderland - 30 points
Grok3: Promoted via playoffs, Sunderland’s young squad and lack of Premier League pedigree spell trouble. AI predicts 20th with 30 points, better than Southampton’s 2024/25 tally but still adrift. Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda’s goals offer hope, but inexperience likely leads to relegation. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images