The Black Cats are currently fifth in League One heading into a busy Christmas period after a draw against Oxford United at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Sunderland are two points off the promotion places, with Rotherham United and Wigan Athletic occupying the top two spots at the moment.
But how is the third tier predicted to look come the end of the season based on the results so far?
Here, we take a look at how the data experts say that the table will look at the end of the season:
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21. Wycombe Wanderers - 4th - Play-offs
Wycombe Wanderers are predicted to finish 4th in League One on 79 points by data experts FiveThirtyEight. Photo: Gareth Copley
22. Sunderland - 3rd - Play-offs
Sunderland are predicted to finish 3rd in League One on 81 points by data experts FiveThirtyEight. Photo: Jan Kruger
23. Wigan Athletic - 2nd - Promoted
Wigan Athletic are predicted to finish 2nd in League One on 84 points by data experts FiveThirtyEight. Photo: Jacques Feeney
24. Rotherham United - 1st - Promoted as champions
Rotherham United are predicted to finish 1st in League One on 88 points by data experts FiveThirtyEight. Photo: Justin Setterfield