This time it was Nathan Broadhead who secured the Black Cats late victory over Shrewsbury, keeping Sunderland in the playoff places.
As always, the Good Friday round of fixtures had dramatic effects at the top and bottom of the League One table with victories for Oxford United, Morecambe and Wycombe Wanderers just a few results that will be felt at both ends of the division.
Neil’s side have just four games left between now and the end of the campaign – will they do enough to secure a playoff place? Or is a fifth-straight season in League One being predicted for the Black Cats?
Here is how the ‘data experts’ at FiveThirtyEight predict the 2021/22 League One table will finish and whether or not Sunderland will be in the playoff picture at the end of the campaign:
21. 4th: Sunderland
Predicted points: 83 (+23 GD), chances of a playoff place: 80%, chances of promotion: 21%, chances of finishing 4th: 28% Photo: Frank Reid
22. 3rd: Rotherham United
Predicted points: 88 (+37 GD), chances of just a playoff place: 61%, chances of promotion: 52%, chances of finishing 3rd: 47%, chances of winning League One: 6% Photo: Catherine Ivill
23. 2nd: MK Dons
Predicted points: 90 (+31 GD), chances of just a playoff place: 39%, chances of promotion: 71%, chances of finishing 2nd: 52%, chances of winning League One: 9% Photo: Pete Norton
24. 1st: Wigan Athletic
Predicted points: 95 (+39 GD), chances of just a playoff place: 3%, chances of promotion: 98%, chances of winning League One: 85% Photo: Alex Burstow