Can Bournemouth and Sunderland really finish in the top four?

The start to the Premier League season has had plenty of surprises so far. Among the biggest are just how well Bournemouth and Sunderland are doing.

The Cherries have been in outstanding form so far, despite losing some key players in the summer and football betting sites have understandably narrowed the odds of them finishing in the Champions League places.

Sunderland, meanwhile, have taken to their return to the Premier League like a duck to water.

But can they both end the season in the top four? We’ve had a look at their seasons so far, and whether they can carry on in their current form…

Bournemouth

The Cherries have been in remarkable form so far, taking 18 points from their first ten games of the season and sit fourth in the league table, just four seven points behind leaders Arsenal .

Andoni Iraola’s men have lost just two league games this season, to Liverpool on the opening day and their most recent game against Manchester City, and have also picked up an impressive win away at Tottenham along the way.

The bad news is they still have plenty of the big boys left to play, having yet to face Arsenal , Chelsea, and Manchester United.

But there is plenty of cause for optimism that the Cherries can get something from those games. They have one of the best players, let alone attackers, in the division this season in Antoine Semenyo , who has scored six goals in ten league games,

In Evanilson’s absence, Eli Junior Kroupi has stepped up in a big way and looks a fantastic signing up top too. Their brand of direct, physical football has not been easy for opposition to deal with.

It is going to be a tough task to finish in the top four come the end of the campaign but it would not be at all surprising to see Bournemouth secure European qualification of some sort.

Sunderland

The Black Cats are bucking the trend of newly promoted sides struggling and have enjoyed a phenomenal season so far.

Regis Le Bris’ side sit fourth in the table having won five of their first nine games back in the top flight.

Much of that is down to clever recruitment this summer. Robin Roefs has been an inspired signing in goal while the likes of Nordi Mukiele and Granit Xhaka have proved instrumental so far.

Their win against Chelsea showed they should not be dismissed completely as Champions League contenders, but Le Bris still knows they have a long way to go.

Much of their fine form has been down to the performances of Roefs in goal and they have defended superbly, but Le Bris will need more from his attack as the season goes on if they are to secure an unexpected European finish.

Roefs will also have to carry on in his current vein of form, but do not write him off when it comes to doing so.