Alex Neil's side know they must win their remaining games to nail down their League One play-off berth. Wins for Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe Wanderers this weekend has knocked the Black Cats out of the top six.
The Owls lead MK Dons 3-0 after half an hour and had to survive a late scare at Stadium:MK. Darren Moore's side knew the importance of the tie heading into it after the Chairboys saw off Plymouth Argyle at Adams Park.
Sunderland are due to face Steven Schumacher's side at Home Park tomorrow, knowing a win would lift them above their League One rivals. Wycombe travel to struggling AFC Wimbledon, while the Owls are set to face Crewe Alexandra later this week and play-off chasing Oxford United will host MK Dons.
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The Black Cats game in hand is against Paul Warne's title chasing Rotherham United with the Owls to host Fleetwood Town in theirs. The two sides are among the in form sides in the division.
Both Wednesday and Wycombe have picked up 11 points from their last five games, with Sunderland notching 13 out of a possible 15.
