Sunderland will be keeping an anxious eye on Blackburn Rovers' game against Luton Town tonight as the Championship play-off race builds to a climax. With two play-off places still up for grabs, the field has been whittled down from eight contenders to five with Swansea City, Norwich City, and Preston falling by the wayside at the weekend.
That leaves Sunderland (66 points) jostling for position with Coventry City (69), Millwall (68), West Brom (66), and Blackburn (65). Blackburn have gone seven matches without a win but have a game in hand of their which means their fate is still in their own hands, and if they beat Luton - who are already guaranteed a play-off place - tonight at Ewood Park, they will go to Millwall on the final day knowing a win will secure a top six place.
But if Rovers lose against the Hatters, their vastly inferior goal difference will effectively rule them out of the running and leave them with nothing to play for at The Den. A draw against Luton would see Rovers join Sunderland and West Brom on 66 points and leave them needing to beat Millwall to stand any chance, but they will miss out on goal difference if either the Baggies - who travel to Swansea - or the Black Cats win.
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As for Sunderland, the Black Cats came from 2-0 down to force a draw against Watford on Saturday which means they will go into next Monday's final day trip to Preston knowing they must win - but that they will also need help from elsewhere. Firstly, they must avoid an unlikely scenario whereby West Brom win by four more goals than they do, which would see Carlos Corberan's men move ahead of them on goal difference.
But, assuming that does not happen, if Sunderland win at Preston their simplest route to the play-offs would be for Middlesbrough to defeat Coventry at the Riverside Stadium. However, if Coventry avoid defeat, all eyes will be on the game at Millwall.
If Blackburn win tonight against Luton, only a draw between Rovers and the Lions would be good enough for Sunderland. But if Blackburn lose or draw this evening, then as long as Millwall do not win on the final day Sunderland will finish in the top six.
Everything is predicated on a Sunderland win at Preston, though - fail there, and nothing else will matter.
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