The EFL are set to decide leagues which cannot be completed via an unweighted points per game system, in a plan which would see the Wearsiders finish seventh.
But which games could have ultimately cost Sunderland promotion? We take a look at nine games where dropped points could come back to haunt the Black Cats if League One is determined in this manner:
5. Sunderland 0-0 Bolton Wanderers (26 December 2019)
More dropped points on home soil as familiar failings - namely a lack of cutting edge - came back to haunt Sunderland. This should have been a comfortable three points. Photo: COPYRIGHT (C) FRANK REID 20187
6. Sunderland 0-0 Doncaster Rovers (24 January 2020)
At the time this looked to be a good point, given that Doncaster were also in play-off contention, but ultimately it only served to show teams how to stop Sunderland in their new-look 3-5-2 system. Since then, many other teams have employed similar tactics to Rovers, and succeeded in stopping the Black Cats playing. Photo: FRANK REID 2019
7. Coventry City 1-0 Sunderland (1 March 2020)
One lapse in concentration allowed Matt Godden to score, in a game where there was little between the sides. Even a point could have helped Sunderland, who had chances to draw level. Photo: Frank Reid
8. Sunderland 2-2 Gillingham (7 March 2020)
Not even a week later, Sunderland were again ruing missed chances as former Black Cat Mikael Mandron netted a late leveller to cancel out Kyle Lafferty’s brace. Two more dropped points at the Stadium of Light. Photo: FRANK REID 2020