Sunderland are ending the year on a positive note and 2025 promises to be an exciting time for Black Cats fans.
The first half of 2024 was rather uninspiring, with the Wearside club finishing the previous season in 16th place in the Championship table.
But the summer arrivals of a few quality players and, most notably, new manager Regis Le Bris have turned things around at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland look certain to at least finish in the play-off places and have an outside chance of achieving automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Sunderland AFC News’ writers have made their predictions for 2025, including the club’s Championship finish, top goalscorer and Jobe Bellingham’s future.
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Where will Sunderland finish in Championship 2024/25? Premier League promotion?
Jakob Barnes: 5th (play-off semi-final)
Sunderland are showing no signs of letting up just yet, but they still need to travel to Turf Moor, Elland Road, and the Riverside to play the teams around them, plus a home clash with Sheffield United.
By the end of February, we will know a lot more about the Black Cats’ promotion credentials, but it’s hard to imagine them keeping this up all season.
Luke Phelps: 6th (play-off semi-final)
I think Sunderland will fall into a battle for 6th. I’m not sure they have the depth and experience to solidify a spot in the top six long before the end of the season, but I’m confident they have enough momentum to nick 6th. That said, I think Sunderland will fall out of the play-offs at the first hurdle.
James Shearman: 4th (play-off runners-up)
There is a six-point gap between fourth-place Sunderland and fifth-place Blackburn Rovers heading into 2025 and, while it will decrease, the Black Cats can hang on to their current position.
Inspired by the atmosphere at the Stadium of Light, Regis Le Bris’ team can win the play-off semi-final but Leeds, Sheffield United or Burnley will be too much for them at Wembley.
Sunderland’s 2025 Player of the Year
Jakob Barnes: Jobe Bellingham
We’ve already seen a meteoric rise from Jobe Bellingham in 2024, and he appears to be on course to reach similar superstar levels to his brother.
If he keeps up these talismanic displays – and, crucially, stays at Sunderland for the full calendar year – there will be no one more influential than Bellingham in 2025.
Luke Phelps: Dan Neil
I think Dan Neil could be a shout here. With the likes of Bellingham and Chris Rigg possibly leaving in January or next summer, Neil will remain a constant, and his class in midfield could be further highlighted when/if Bellingham and Rigg leave.
James Shearman: Chris Rigg
Rigg will have a far-from-ideal start to 2025 as he is sidelined through injury but he shouldn’t be out for more than a few weeks. Once he returns, he will immediately reclaim the ‘number 10’ position.
The 17-year-old is already an important player for the Black Cats but will only go from strength to strength next year.
Who will be Sunderland’s top goalscorer?
Jakob Barnes: Jobe Bellingham
While his creativity and dominant displays in the middle of the park make Jobe one of the best midfielders in the Championship, he’s also begun to add goals to his game, and match-winning moments, at that.
Wilson Isidor continues to struggle in front of goal, and unless Sunderland sign a prolific new striker, they will rely on Jobe more and more for those goals.
Luke Phelps: Romaine Mundle
Not a lot of goal-scorers in this team right now so this award is wide open.
I wouldn’t be surprised if someone like Romaine Mundle ends up as Sunderland’s top scorer in 2025, especially if he can hit the ground running in January.
James Shearman: Chris Rigg
This prediction is slightly concerning for Sunderland because it has more to do with a lack of candidates than Rigg’s goalscoring ability. I expect the youngster to play well over 40 games in 2025 and score between 10-15 times.
The issue with some of Sunderland’s top candidates is that they might not be at the Stadium of Light when the 2025/26 season comes around.
- READ MORE: Predicted Sunderland XI after January window as Kristjaan Speakman makes two huge signings
Which Sunderland player will break out in 2025?
Jakob Barnes: Trey Ogunsuyi
It is surely only a matter of time before Trey Ogunsuyi is given a shot in the first-team, and he looks like the kind of talent who may never look back once he gets a taste.
With Isidor’s loan deal ending in the summer, Sunderland will need fresh attacking options, and if they remain in the Championship, Ogunsuyi could end up getting plenty of action.
Luke Phelps: Trey Ogunsuyi
Ogunsuyi is the next player who I think will wow Sunderland fans, with links to Liverpool already emerging.
Given those links, Sunderland may be keen to expose him to first-team minutes and hopefully bump up his transfer value. With the striker situation still suffering too, Ogunsuyi could quickly become a key player for Sunderland.
James Shearman: Trey Ogunsuyi
It’s rather surprising that Ogunsuyi hasn’t already made some Championship appearances for Sunderland given his performances for the youth sides. But the 18-year-old will get his chance sooner or later and could quickly establish himself as a super-sub.
The only reason Ogunsuyi might not be the right answer to this question is if he joins another club on loan next summer.
Will Jobe Bellingham and/or Chris Rigg leave Sunderland?
Jakob Barnes: Bellingham – Yes, Rigg – No
This largely depends on whether Sunderland get promoted this season or not. Working on the assumption that they won’t quite make it, Bellingham will be ripe for the taking in the summer and we have to imagine his transfer fee would be in line with that of Archie Gray’s £30 million move to Spurs last summer.
However, Sunderland should be able to keep hold of Rigg; he’s younger and more raw, for a start, and his emotional ties to the club should be enough to get at least another year from him.
Luke Phelps: Bellingham – Yes, Rigg – Yes
I’m certain both of these players will leave in 2025. I think Bellingham nets Sunderland at least £20m, but Rigg could be more.
Given his age and the hype around him, he could be a £25m player. If Sunderland can get £50m for both then it would be great business from them.
James Shearman: Bellingham – Yes, Rigg – No
Nobody can question Bellingham’s love for the club but that won’t be enough to stop him from leaving in the summer. With some of Europe’s top clubs interested in the midfielder, Sunderland will receive offers too good to turn down.
If the Black Cats let Bellingham go for around £30m, they will be in a strong enough financial position to reject bids for Rigg, who could carry them to the Premier League next season.