Sunderland signed off ahead of the World Cup break with an important away victory at Birmingham City. Goals from Amad Diallo and Ellis Simms sealed the 2-1 win, despite a late consolation strike from Lukas Jutkiewicz.
It is a victory which has lifted Tony Mowbray's side into fifteenth spot, with a game in hand on many of their Championship rivals. The Black Cats are sat at a crucial juncture in their season with the halfway point of the campaign fast approaching.
Having finally secured a return to the Championship last season, the crucial gap many fans will first consider is the four-point cushion over the relegation zone. Sunderland also have the benefit of six clubs sat between themselves and the bottom three of Blackpool, Huddersfield Town, and Wigan Athletic.
READ MORE: Former Sunderland striker Marcus Stewart's 'Beacon of hope' after Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis
However, a strong run of form following the resumption of the season could yet catapult Sunderland into the thick of the race for the playoffs. Mowbray's side are also just four points adrift of Millwall in sixth spot, while holding the game in hand on the likes of Norwich City, QPR and Watford.
Bearing this in mind, the congested festive schedule following the World Cup break could yet pave the way for Sunderland to define the second-half of their season. Positive results could have supporters looking up the table, while a couple of defeats would likely keep the focus on the gap to the relegation zone.
Sunderland return to action sooner than the majority of their divisional rivals, with a home clash with Millwall rearranged for December 3 after it was postponed in the wake of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Here is a look at how the Black Cats' next four fixtures compare to the likes of Millwall, Norwich and QPR.
Sunderland
Dec 3: Millwall (H)
Dec 12: West Brom (H)
Dec 17: Hull City (A)
Dec 26: Blackburn Rovers (H)
Norwich City
Dec 10: Swansea City (A)
Dec 17: Blackburn Rovers (H)
Dec 26: Luton Town (A)
Dec 30: Reading (H)
Millwall
Dec 3: Sunderland (A)
Dec 10: Wigan Athletic (H)
Dec 18: Luton Town (A)
Dec 26: Watford (A)
QPR
Dec 11: Burnley (H)
Dec 17: Preston (A)
Dec 26: Cardiff City (A)
Dec 29: Luton Town (H)
READ NEXT
Jewison Bennette eyes World Cup improvement and outlines Sunderland ambition after 'special' moment
Curtain falls on Seb Larsson's career as former Sunderland midfield talks retirement legacy
Tony Mowbray's World Cup message for Sunderland duo Bailey Wright and Jewison Bennette
Asamoah Gyan's Sunderland 'disappointment' behind Darren Bent questioning
Bailey Wright hopeful of Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema battle at World Cup
