Eleven points behind second but seven clear of seventh, the play-offs looks a certainty for the Black Cats.
But to stand a chance of winning promotion, they need to dramatically improve on their shocking showing at Coventry before the international break and need to rediscover form and momentum in the weeks ahead.
Here’s how Sunderland’s run-in looks, the challenges they’ll face along the way and our predictions:
MILLWALL (H) – March 29, 3pm.
This, on the back of the heavy defeat to Coventry before the break and ahead of two testing away trips, has the look of a big, big game for Sunderland.
Anything other than three points heaps the pressure on the Black Cats to go and get positive results at West Brom and Norwich, not in terms of the standings but more for the mood on Wearside and momentum.
Millwall’s last gasp win over Stoke before the break lifted the Lions to 11th. They’re six points off the top six and their play-off hopes are hanging by a thread, so they’ll head for Wearside knowing they likely need a positive result.
And to add extra spice to an already important game, the visiting boss is, of course, Alex Neil.
Prediction: 2-0 Sunderland
WEST BROM (A) – April 5, 12.30pm.
From one ex-boss to another, though the reunion with Tony Mowbray will be a much more emotional affair.
It’s the first time Sunderland have faced Mowbray since their former boss’s Stadium of Light exit and his cancer battle.
And, again, it’s a crucial game for the opposition. The Baggies are currently sixth, above Bristol City on goal difference alone.
Prediction 2-1 West Brom
NORWICH (A) – April 8, 7.45pm.
Norwich are now eight points adrift of the top six and a place in the play-offs looks increasingly unlikely. They face West Brom and Plymouth before Sunderland and will likely need maximum points from those two games if their top six hopes are to still be intact when they face Regis Le Bris’ side.
So far, Norwich have failed to win 11 of their 19 games at Carrow Road this season.
Prediction: 2-2
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SWANSEA (H) – April 12, 3pm
Swansea are one of a group of only three or four sides who look to have nothing to play for in the final weeks of the season.
Six points clear of relegation but with plenty of sides below, the Swans are unlikely to get sucked into trouble but have no chance of lifting themselves into the play-off mix.
They’re still managerless, though Alan Sheehan looks set to agree a deal to stay in charge until the end of the season.
This is surely a game Sunderland will win.
Prediction: 3-0 Sunderland
BRISTOL CITY (A) – April 18, 3pm
Perhaps the toughest of Sunderland’s remaining games. Bristol City are only outside the top six on goal difference.
They’re fourth in the Championship form table over the course of the last six games and fifth in the last 10 games. And only four sides in the Championship have a better home record than the Robins.
2-1 Bristol City
BLACKBURN (H) – April 21, 3pm
Blackburn are still in the play-off mix as things stand but will that be the case when Sunderland host Rovers at the end of next month?
Rovers have struggled since the exit of John Eustace and the appointment of Valerien Ismael hasn’t gone to plan so far.
They’ve lost their last three and are winless in five. Continue like that and Blackburn will be out of play-off contention long before they face Sunderland.
2-0 Sunderland
OXFORD (A) – April 26, 3pm
The appointment of Gary Rowett has worked out well so far for Oxford, who are still four points clear of the relegation zone despite their recent struggle for wins.
Survival was always the aim for the U’s this season in their first campaign back in the second tier.
And if they are to stay up, home form will continue to be key. Oxford have picked up 32 of their 42 points this season at the Kassam Stadium.
Prediction: 1-1
QPR (H) – May 3, 12.30pm
Queens Park Rangers look, like Swansea, to be one of the sides with very little on the line and it’s almost a certainty that they’ll have nothing to play for when they head for the Stadium of Light on the final day.
Sunderland will be desperate to beat the Hoops and go into the play-offs on a high armed with real momentum.
Prediction: 3-1 Sunderland
Points total: 83. It obviously wouldn’t be enough to get Sunderland in the top two but they’d finish safely in fourth if they were to reach 83 points. Coventry are in form but the team currently in fifth would have to pick up maximum points in the final eight games to reach a total of 83. Then, it’s the play-offs…
