Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray feels the Championship play-off race will go to the final weekend of the season, with the Black Cats involved in a dramatic shoot-out for a place in the top six.
Sunday's 2-1 win at West Bromwich Albion lifted Mowbray's men into the play-off positions with just two games of the season remaining. However, the picture could change before Saturday's Stadium of Light showdown with Watford, with both Blackburn and West Brom playing their games in hand in midweek.
Blackburn host league leaders Burnley at Ewood Park tonight, while the Baggies go to Bramall Lane to take on Sheffield United tomorrow evening. Rovers will move ahead of Sunderland should they draw the game, while the Baggies need all three points against the second-placed Blades to leapfrog the Black Cats going into the final two matches.
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Middlesbrough and Luton Town already have two play-off spots sewn up, meaning eight sides are competing for the fifth and sixth.
It all makes for a thrilling last week of the campaign and Mowbray, who was impressed with the way his side fought back to win at West Brom, predicts it is going to go right down to the wire. A win over Watford will keep Sunderland firmly in the hunt, while final-day opponents Preston could still reach the play-offs themselves, adding to the potential drama at Deepdale on May 8.
"There are teams down to pretty much 12th who could still get into the play-offs, and I think coming into the West Brom game there were about five teams on 62 points," said Mowbray of the battle for the remaining two play-off places. "We are on 65 now but if you lose one, they could be right back.
"My feeling is that we're going to go into the last one thinking 'win today and you might have a chance, but if they win they'll probably end up in front'. I think it's just exciting to keep our season going, and I think our fans deserve that. We will do our very, very best to make it as long as we possibly can."
Before any final-day drama, Sunderland must first overcome the challenge of Chris Wilder's Watford at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. The Hornets need two wins from the last two games to stand any chance of reaching sixth - and every other result would have to go their way.
However, Mowbray knows his side must use home advantage more effectively if they are to succeed - especially with a potential play-off semi-final to come on Wearside. Sunderland have only won seven of their 22 home matches so far, and must make that eight this weekend.
"We've had our difficulties at the Stadium of Light this year even though the supporters have been amazing with the team," Mowbray added. "I think they have seen that even in defeat, we've worked hard and been focused on giving what our club is about.
"The players understand that they need to play for the people who work and pay their money to come and watch their team, so they need to fight even if we lose. If they are beaten by a better team, they understand that."
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