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After avoiding relegation by the skin of their teeth, Sunderland AFC have been made favourites for the 2017 Premier League title.
Bookies are said to have learned the lessons of 2014 and have made the team that looked doomed at Christmas, and yet somehow survived, 3-1 favourites for the next title.
Bookmaker Simon Williams told us, “It’s important that we look at the science behind the odds and not just go with our guts, and the science tells us that the position Sunderland are in today is definitely a springboard to title success next season.
“We’ve already had a number of fans come in an put a few quid on Sunderland to win the league, and yes, they were a bit disappointed in the odds, but we’re a business, not a charity.”
Sunderland fan Jake Lee told us, “It’s outrageous, they’ve made Jermaine Defoe odds on to be next season’s top scorer and Lee Cattermole is 2-1 favourite for Player of the Year 2017.”
However Williams told us, “We have to protect ourselves, and you think Fat Sam is smug now? Jesus, you just wait.”
