da imperador bet： Once again, it seems as if Sunderland are on the verge of pulling off a great escape. Though their form hasn’t quite taken the upward trajectory many expected when they initially appointed Sam Allardyce, the decision looks to have paid off massively.
da gbg bet： The Black Cats have clawed their way out of the drop zone, albeit are just a point off fierce rivals Newcastle with plenty still to play for. Still, their Premier League status is now firmly within their hands.
That’s not to say that backs are not against the wall on Wearside. Their leaky defence has constantly undermined them all season and doesn’t overly look like hugely improving, despite the defensive nous of their vastly experienced manager.
However, in stark contrast to their North East rivals, their January signings look to have lifted the club somewhat. Lamine Kone and Jan Kirchhoff (despite his awful, awful debut) give a sense of solidity to that backline at least, while winger Wahbi Khazri has excited fans with his graft and guile in equal measure.
Largely due to the man they have in charge, and the utter mess the Toon Army find themselves in, many would make the Black Cats favourite to stave off the drop in the mini-league between the two rivals and Norwich City.
Considering all that, here are FIVE fixtures that will make or break Sunderland’s survival chances…
VS EVERTON (HOME)
Though Everton sit well above Sunderland in the league, the Black Cats can feasibly bring a surprise upon their Merseyside based visitors this weekend.
All season, the Toffees have been marred by inconsistency and often struggle to see out games. If ‘Big Sam’ sets up his team in the typically abrasive fashion we’ve come to expect from him, they can really steamroll their visitors.
Obviously, going forward Roberto Martinez’s side possess the kind of quality that can carve the home side open. Still, a direct style of play can really ruffle Everton’s feathers, as we have seen all season.
A great chance to gather a crucial three points at home.
VS NEWCASTLE (AWAY)
Sunderland have enjoyed unmitigated success in the Tyne-Wear derby of late. Considering the fact the Toon army travel to table topping Leicester the weekend before, another derby win could surely condemn their rivals to relegation.
Ironically, the Geordies have the strongest team in terms of quality they have had in years. Just unfortunately for them, they are coached by Steve McClaren and run by Mike Ashley.
You’d have to make the visiting Black Cats favourites at St. James’ Park, such is the magnitude of their mental hold over the Magpies in recent years.
A proverbial ‘six pointer’.
VS WEST BROMWICH ALBION (HOME)
Sunderland vs West Brom isn’t really the most tantalising Premier League fixture in the calendar.
Sam Allarydce vs Tony Pulis isn’t really most tactically innovative meeting in the Premier League, either.
Still, home games will be crucial for Sam Allardyce in the relegation run in. Particularly this one, considering the fact Chelsea and Leicester are still to come, while a difficult trip away to Stoke is not far off.
The Baggies will be no pushovers, Pulis teams just simply never are. However, they all but secured their status in next year’s top flight and could be overawed by a team scrapping for their lives.
VS NORWICH CITY (AWAY)
While many believe the last remaining spot in next year’s Premier League will come down to a straight Tyne-Wear dogfight, Norwich City are not, by any means, a world away.
In fact, the Canaries welcome both North East strugglers between now and the end of the season, adding extra spice to this three way survival scrap.
Though Sunderland often struggle to keep a clean sheet, they can surely capitalise on the toil in front of goal dogging the East Anglian outfit.
Both clubs may have quite awful defences, but the home side often fail to convert their chances after good build up play. It’s been the story of their season.
In stark contrast to their blunt attack, the Black Cats boast a certain Jermain Defoe, who always looks likely to nab a crucial goal.
Should Allardyce earn all three points at Carrow Road, he can put invaluable breathing space between his side and the dangerous waters of a relegation battle.
VS CHELSEA (HOME) – 7TH MAY
You might expect a recently resurgent Chelsea side to dispatch Sunderland with relative ease, on paper at least. However, the Black Cats enjoy a good record against the Blues and claimed an unlikely victory over them amid their great escape under Gus Poyet.
The penultimate game of the season takes on extra importance due to the fact that is the last at the Stadium of Light for the season, and perhaps the last in the Premier League for two.
It will no doubt be a stern test due to the vast improvement the Premier League champions have undertaken under the stewardship of Guus Hiddink.
Still, Sunderland have been here before. No doubt aiming to end such a desperately miserable season in style, it could be a crunch fixture in deciding their fate.