Last season: 16th

Manager Dick Advocaat was in tears when they survived last season He will hope not to be reduced to tears again but it is shaping up as another season of stress at the Stadium of Light.

Jeremain Lens, an £8.5 million signing from Dynamo Kiev will add danger but Younes Kaboul will make fans nervous. The former Spurs defender has talent - but also a lot of mistakes.

Advocaat still needs further attacking options, especially with striker Connor Wickham who has left for Crystal Palace.

They lost their first match 4-2 to Leicester City.
That is a poor start.