Things are slowly beginning to look up at the Stadium of Light with a recent run of good form starting to bring hopes that Sunderland may put themselves in the picture to give themselves a chance of promotion this season.
Their recent upturn in form has given them a solid platform to build off as they enter the final stages of the season - but will it be enough to secure Alex Neil’s side a playoff place?
Lots of the teams vying for those four spots have also hit good form recently and it promises to be a hugely exciting race for the playoffs.
Here, using the latest data provided by FiveThirtyEight, we take a look at how the ‘data experts’ are predicting the 2021/22 League One table will finish:
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5. 20th: AFC Wimbledon
Wimbledon haven’t won a game in their last 19 attempts in all competitions, a run that stretches back to early-December. Predicted finish = 20th - Chances of relegation = 42%. Photo: Alex Davidson
6. 19th: Fleetwood Town
Fleetwood are another side that the Black Cats have conquered recently. Fleetwood have lost four-straight games and are slipping slowly towards real relegation danger. Predicted finish = 19th - Chances of relegation = 18%. Photo: Lewis Storey
7. 18th: Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury are the last team that the supercomputer believes could be facing relegation this season, however, this shouldn’t be too much of a worry for Salop supporters. Predicted finish = 18th - Chances of relegation = 1%. Photo: Clive Brunskill
8. 17th: Lincoln City
The Imps have flirted with relegation this season but they look like having done enough to avoid relegation to England’s fourth-tier. Predicted finish = 17th - Chances of relegation = Photo: Stu Forster