Sunderland have defied the odds to roar back into contention for a Sky Bet Championship Play-Off place heading into the final game of the season, and on Monday take on Preston North End at Deepdale to discover our fate (KO 3pm).
With the top six the only important Championship conclusion yet to be decided, the mission is must-win, at any cost, to maintain a chance. With the Lads approaching the season finale in seventh position, two points adrift of sixth-placed Millwall, results elsewhere would then decide our fortunes.
Final day permutations
|
POS |
|
PLD |
PTS |
GD |
|
5 |
Coventry City |
45 |
69 |
+12 |
|
6 |
Millwall |
45 |
68 |
+8 |
|
7 |
SUNDERLAND |
45 |
66 |
+10 |
|
8 |
West Bromwich Albion |
45 |
66 |
+7 |
|
9 |
Blackburn Rovers |
45 |
66 |
-3 |
Preston North End vs SUNDERLAND
Millwall vs Blackburn Rovers
Middlesbrough vs Coventry City
Swansea City vs West Bromwich Albion
For Sunderland, our task is clear – we have to win. Anything less than victory over Preston will not be enough.
A win at Deepdale for Tony Mowbray’s men will be enough, BUT only if Millwall fail to win against Blackburn Rovers, OR Coventry City lose at Middlesbrough.
A single-goal defeat for Coventry and a single-goal win for Sunderland would put both sides on 69 points with both goal differences on +11, but the Lads would finish higher on goals scored.
If the Lads win and Millwall do not, this will be enough, due to our superior goal difference over the Lions. This is UNLESS West Bromwich Albion win by five or more goals away at Swansea City.
Blackburn Rovers’ late equaliser against Luton Town last Monday keeps them in with a slim chance, but due to their significantly inferior goal difference, they must win at Millwall and hope both the Lads, and West Brom, do not win.
All eyes now focus firmly on Monday afternoon, with the must-win mission underway.
Team news
Mowbray is expected to have a similar selection pool of players to the squad available at his disposal for last weekend’s dramatic late draw with Watford on Wearside.
The current list of absentees also remains the same, with Dan Ballard and Jewison Bennette not yet ready to return.
Opposition
Preston North End’s Play-Off push came to an end last weekend, as they were beaten 4-1 by Sheffield United at Bramall Lane – a result which extended their winless run to four league matches. A promising season marred by inconsistency and an average of just a goal a game has slowed the campaign down for the Lilywhites, but they have not lost at home for over three months and under the stewardship of Ryan Lowe, will be a tough nut to crack.
The start of the season was an incredible one for Preston in terms of how their results read, having scored just twice in their first seven games but not conceding a single goal, with five goalless draws. The reverse fixture this season back in October also finished 0-0 at the Stadium of Light – one of nine stalemates North End have had this season. Monday’s hosts have competed consistently at Championship level since 2015, with their highest finish of that period being seventh in 2017-18.
Around the grounds (ALL Monday 3pm)
Birmingham City vs Sheffield United
Burnley vs Cardiff City
Huddersfield Town vs Reading
Luton Town vs Hull City
Middlesbrough vs Coventry City
Millwall vs Blackburn Rovers
Norwich City vs Blackpool
Queens Park Rangers vs Bristol City
Watford vs Stoke City
Wigan Athletic vs Rotherham United
Tickets & coverage
Away tickets for our final day trip to Preston North End are now SOLD OUT. Over 5,700 of the Red & White Army will be loud and proud to back the Lads to the hilt on Monday.
This match is being broadcast live on Sky Sports Football. As a result, SAFC Live coverage will only be available to overseas-based supporters via the Live Video tab on safc.com. Audio commentary will be available to all supporters.
Sunderland fans can keep up with all the drama, twists and turns from the final day via our social media pages on Twitter @SunderlandAFC, and Instagram @sunderlandafcofficial.