Despite having won just three of their last eight matches in the Championship, the sudden upturn in form for Sunderland has seen them cement themselves as good candidates for one of the last two remaining playoff spots.
Those three wins - all in their last four - have come at a perfect time for Tony Mowbray and his side, and has seen them rise from 11th three weeks ago all the way up to sixth.
With just two matches remaining, and both coming against playoff rivals in the form of Preston North End and Watford, the Black Cats will be desperate to keep their form intact until the end of the season.
