Sunderland’s final day visit to Preston could be one of the most entertaining in years, with the Black Cats potentially one win away from an incredible top six finish in the Championship – and supporters are predicting there could be some surprises in store.
Patrick Roberts’ stunning late equaliser against Watford last week kept Sunderland within touching distance of the play-offs, but two dropped points meant their fate was no longer in their own hands.
It leaves the club needing a win at Preston North End on Monday afternoon and for either Millwall or Coventry to slip up for Sunderland to secure a play-off place. Coventry only need to avoid defeat at Middlesbrough to confirm their place, while Millwall must beat fellow hopefuls Blackburn Rovers to be sure of their qualification.
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The odds are against Tony Mowbray’s men, with latest markets offering Sunderland at 9/4 to reach the top six while the two sides ahead of them are both odds on.
That hasn’t stopped fans believing in the unlikely dream, and a poll shared by ChronicleLive has revealed the majority of fans still believe the Wearsiders will get over the line at Preston.
A close-run vote found that 58% of the fanbase are optimistic ahead of the final day, with 43% expecting sixth-placed Millwall to be the side that drops out of the current play-off places. One in five fans are even expecting the Black Cats to leapfrog Coventry to finish fifth and set up a mouth-watering semi-final against Middlesbrough.
Of those of a more pessimistic persuasion, 28% of respondents expect that both Millwall and Coventry will do the job regardless of Sunderland’s result against Preston, while a further 15% think the Black Cats will drop points at Deepdale and make the play-off race something of an anti-climax.
What do you think will happen on Monday? Will Sunderland make the play-offs? Join the conversation in the comments below…
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