Sunderland's remarkable 7th-place finish — and Europa qualification
Sunderland finished 7th in 2025/26 with 54 points and qualified for the Europa League — a result that exceeded every pre-season projection. Régis Le Bris enters his second full season at the club. For Fantasy Premier League managers, Sunderland's 25/26 was overachievement: their underlying xG and xGA ranks (14th and 12th) suggest mean-reversion in 26/27. Combined with Europa League midweek rotation, the FPL case for Sunderland assets is built around one specific budget enabler rather than premium picks.
Robin Roefs — the £4.5m budget goalkeeper enabler
Robin Roefs (projected £4.5m) is the consensus FPL community pick for the budget goalkeeper enabler slot. He started every game post-November in 25/26, accumulated 30+ FPL points in a 2-game stretch through the season, and gives top-1k managers the cheapest "starting premier league GK" option to free £1m+ for outfield premiums.
The case for Roefs: nailed starter at £4.5m + Sunderland's low-block defensive identity does generate clean sheets despite the overall xGA profile. The case against: Europa midweeks will pull rotation, though Anthony Patterson has joined Wrexham permanently, which thins Le Bris's cup-keeper options. The optimal Roefs play is "starting GK with a £4.0-4.5m backup who never plays."
Granit Xhaka and Sunderland's attacking pickability
Granit Xhaka (£5.5m) is Sunderland's captain and direct free-kick taker. His occasional set-piece goals make him a defensible budget midfielder at sub-10% ownership. Patrick Roberts is not in FPL 2026/27. The Sunderland attack is Brian Brobbey (£5.8m), the most-owned player at the club at 14.9%, with Enzo Le Fée (£6.0m, 11.5%) behind him and Wilson Isidor at £5.5m — note that price, the article had him at £6.0m.
Trai Hume (£4.4m) is Sunderland's attacking right-back — set-piece adder and corner taker. He is the budget-defender alternative to Roefs if you prefer the GK premium route. Avoid Sunderland centre-backs: their clean sheets are largely opponent-dependent.
Sunderland's 26/27 ownership angle
Sunderland are 2/1 favourites to be relegated in 26/27 — the mean-reversion model the bookmakers favour. The Europa midweek load makes captaincy of Sunderland assets a clear "do not" call. The recommended FPL exposure: Roefs (£5.0m starting GK) + 1 of Hume or Xhaka as the budget enabler. No premium Sunderland exposure.
Watch for the September international break for the first re-rate. If Sunderland are sub-10 points at GW5, fade the entire club for the remainder of the season. If they are at 8+ points and Roefs has 25+ FPL points, the enabler hold becomes a season-long play.