Sunderland play host to Watford on Saturday afternoon knowing that victory will put the club on the brink of a Championship playoff spot.
Meanwhile, Watford travel to the Stadium of Light already out of the running after losing four of their most recent six fixtures.
Match preview
© Reuters
When Sunderland lost four times in five matches in February and March, they quickly became no more than outside contenders to earn a playoff spot.
Since then, however, a run of three wins and four draws has led to the Black Cats occupying the final place with two matches remaining, both fixtures being against teams with six points of them.
Tony Mowbray's side were trailing at half time to West Bromwich Albion last time out and defeat would have left the club outside of the top 10.
The fact that a turnaround to prevail 2-1 has led to their current sixth position highlights the small margins for error for all of the teams between fifth and 12th.
Despite their issues with central forwards this campaign, the only time that Sunderland have failed to net in the league since November came away at champions Burnley, where they collected a goalless draw.
© Reuters
While Watford's lack of stability has sometimes benefitted them in the past, that most certainly has not been the case in their first season back in the second tier.
The powers-that-be will no doubt be ruing their decision to sack Rob Edwards, now at third-placed Luton Town, after just 11 matches, and the Hornets face a summer of rebuilding.
Current boss Chris Wilder - Watford's third of the season - will not be at the helm for 2023-24 after collecting just eight points from his nine games in charge.
Nevertheless, to boost his own managerial prospects as much as Watford's league position, the experienced EFL boss will be eager to end the season on a high against the North East outfit and Stoke City.
Team News
© Reuters
Mowbray will consider tinkering with his Sunderland XI with Edouard Michut back in contention after injury.
Alex Pritchard is also an option in the final third, but the remainder of the side should stay the same.
Danny Batth has recently joined Ross Stewart in being ruled out for the rest of the season.
Keinan Davis is expected to be restored to the Watford attack, resulting in Joao Pedro switching to a deeper role or the left flank.
Yaser Asprilla is also in contention, although Wilder may be against making too many changes given that victory is a must.
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Gooch, Hume, O'Nien, Cirkin; Neil, Michut; Diallo, Ba, Clarke; Gelhardt
Watford possible starting lineup:
Bachmann; Andrews, Porteous, Kabasele, Kamara; Sarr, Louza, Bacuna, Kone, Pedro; Davis
We say: Sunderland 2-0 Watford
With nothing to play for, Watford may be capable of producing one of their better recent performances. However, we can only back Sunderland to prevail from this fixture, building on an unbeaten run which has given them a chance of a return to the Premier League.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
