Tony Mowbray’s side sit 10th in the Championship table and four points off the play-offs with five games remaining.
But how do Sunderland’s fixtures compare to the sides around them? And which teams have the most favourable run-ins on paper?
With league leaders Burnley already promoted, here’s a look at this season’s remaining games for the clubs battling for automatic promotion and play-off positions.
1. (12th) Watford
Played: 42 | Points: 59 | Remaining games: Cardiff (H), Hull (A), Sunderland (A), Stoke (H) Photo: Paul Harding
2. (11th) West Brom
Played: 41 | Points: 60 | Remaining fixtures: Blackpool (A), Sunderland (H), Sheffield United (A), Norwich (H), Swansea (A) Photo: Catherine Ivill
3. (10th) Norwich
Played: 42 | Points: 61 | Remaining fixtures: QPR (A), Swansea (H), West Brom (A), Blackpool (H) Photo: Henry Browne
4. (9th) Sunderland
Played: 42 | Points: 61 | Remaining fixtures: Huddersfield (H), West Brom (A), Watford (H), Preston (A) Photo: Frank Reid