Sunderland only sit a point adrift of the Championship's top-six but are still considered outside bets to finish in a playoff spot. That is according to the analysts at FiveThirtyEight, who predict the Black Cats will finish tenth in their return to the second tier.
Tony Mowbray's side closed the gap on rivals Middlesbrough with a hard-fought derby victory at the Stadium of Light on Sunday. The hosts capitalised upon a red card for Dael Fry to seal a 2-0 win, courtesy of goals from Ross Stewart and Amad Diallo.
The victory means Sunderland are now just a point behind both Middlesbrough and Norwich City. The Black Cats face an FA Cup fourth-round tie at Fulham on Saturday, before returning to league action with a trip to Millwall.
