EPL Promoted Clubs: Could All of Burnley, Leeds and Sunderland Stay Up This Season? How Are They Doing Compared to Previous Campaigns?

The Premier League’s three newly promoted clubs have enjoyed encouraging starts to their top-flight campaigns, raising the possibility that all of them could secure survival this season.

Each side strengthened wisely during the summer transfer window, setting themselves up well heading into the latest international break. Sunderland were the biggest spenders, investing around £164 million to bring in experienced players such as Granit Xhaka and Reinildo, alongside exciting young talents Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki.

Under Regis Le Bris, who guided them to promotion via the play-offs after a fourth-place Championship finish, Sunderland currently sit ninth with 11 points in their first top-flight season in eight years.

Leeds United, promoted as Championship winners, also made astute additions. They bolstered their midfield with Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach, while Noah Okafor joined from AC Milan to add further attacking depth. Leeds currently occupy 15th place with eight points.

Meanwhile, Burnley, who finished as runners-up in the Championship, are the only one of the promoted trio in the relegation zone. Sitting 18th with four points, Scott Parker’s team have nonetheless improved their squad with arrivals such as Jaidon Anthony and Kyle Walker, who have both contributed valuable experience and versatility.

When compared to previous seasons, this group’s start looks significantly stronger than that of many recent newcomers. In the past two campaigns, every promoted side suffered immediate relegation. Here’s how Sunderland, Leeds, and Burnley’s early form measures up against those of the previous five seasons.

2024/25 Season

In 2024/25, the promoted clubs struggled badly from the start. Southampton, who narrowly avoided breaking the record for the fewest Premier League points in a single season, were 19th with just one point at this stage. Ipswich Town sat 17th with four points, while Leicester City, promoted as Champions, were 15th on six points.

The campaign ended miserably for all three. Southampton finished bottom with only 12 points, while Ipswich managed 22 points in 19th, despite memorable wins over Chelsea and Tottenham. Leicester concluded the season in 18th with 25 points, still 13 points adrift of safety.

2023/24 Season

The 2023/24 campaign was even worse for the promoted trio — Burnley, Sheffield United, and Luton Town. After their opening seven matches, none had collected more than four points. Luton and Burnley both sat just above the relegation zone in 16th and 17th respectively, while Sheffield United, who would go on to concede a record 104 goals, languished 19th with a solitary point.

By season’s end, all three returned to the Championship. Sheffield United finished last with 16 points, Burnley 19th on 24 points, and Luton 18th with 26 points.

2022/23 Season

The 2022/23 campaign remains the most recent example of all three promoted sides managing to survive. Fulham, Bournemouth, and Nottingham Forest defied expectations with varying degrees of success.

After seven matches, Fulham sat ninth with 11 points, Bournemouth were 15th on seven, and Forest were 19th with four points. Despite their poor start, Forest battled back to safety, finishing 16th with 38 points, just four above the relegation zone. Bournemouth ended one place higher in 15th with 39 points, having benefited from a managerial change mid-season. Fulham, under Marco Silva, enjoyed an outstanding return to the Premier League, finishing tenth and recording a club-best 52 points.

2021/22 Season

In 2021/22, only one of the promoted sides managed to stay up. Brentford, making their Premier League debut, impressed under Thomas Frank, while Norwich City and Watford suffered immediate relegation — and neither has returned since.

After seven matches, Norwich, managed by current Leeds boss Daniel Farke, were bottom with a single point. Watford had accumulated seven points, while Brentford were a revelation, sitting seventh on 12 points, ahead of both Tottenham and Arsenal.

Brentford went on to secure safety comfortably, finishing 13th on 46 points, laying the foundation for their continued Premier League presence. Watford and Norwich finished 19th and 20th, with just 23 and 22 points respectively, both well adrift of the pack.

2020/21 Season

The 2020/21 campaign, the first full Premier League season played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic, saw another single survivor among the promoted clubs. Leeds United, under Marcelo Bielsa, thrived, while Fulham and West Bromwich Albion were relegated after one season.

After seven games, Leeds were 12th with 10 points, while Fulham sat 17th with four points, just one and one place ahead of West Brom in 18th on three points.

By the end of the season, Leeds had enjoyed an exceptional return, finishing ninth with 59 points, only three behind Tottenham Hotspur, who claimed a Europa Conference League spot. Fulham finished 18th on 28 points, 11 behind 17th-placed Burnley, while West Brom ended 19th, two points worse off.

The 2025/26 Outlook

Looking at the current campaign, Sunderland, Leeds, and Burnley have all demonstrated a higher level of competitiveness compared to many of their predecessors. Sunderland’s tactical discipline under Le Bris and their balanced recruitment have quickly paid dividends, while Leeds appear to have found stability and resilience after a turbulent few years.

Burnley may still be finding their feet, but the early signs suggest they are better equipped than many struggling sides from previous seasons. If recent history is any guide, the performances of Sunderland and Leeds hint at the possibility of safety, marking a welcome shift from the trend of promoted teams being immediately outclassed.

For now, all three clubs remain very much in the fight — and based on the data from recent seasons, there is every chance that this could be the year when all three promoted sides manage to stay up.