Sunderland's home form may be a minor source of concern heading into the final two games of the regular Championship season, but they can take some hope from Saturday's visitors Watford's dreadful record on the road.
The Black Cats take on Chris Wilder's Hornets knowing a win will put them within reach of a play-off place, with a final-day showdown against Preston North End to come at Deepdale. Sunderland's record at the Stadium of Light needs to improve - just seven Championship wins have been seen on home soil this term - although they will be firm favourites this weekend.
However, should their morale need any boosting, Tony Mowbray and Co only need to look at Watford's return on the road. They are currenrtly on an eight match winless run away from Vicarage Road, having not won away from home since January 2.
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Vakoun Bayo snatched a late winner in Norfolk when they faced Norwich at the beginning of the year, but have picked up just three points from the available 24 in away matches since - with a draw at Reading, Burnley and Coventry.
This will help to give hope to a Sunderland side who have struggled when playing on home turf, the Black Cats sit 16th in the home form table. However their adventures on the road have been among the four best in the division, leading them to occupy the final play-off spot.
Whether Watford will improve on their woeful away form is yet to be decided, but one thing that is guaranteed is that they will be playing Championship football next season as they are one of five teams mathematically unable to get promoted or relegated. They have scored just 19 goals on the road this season, with only Reading (15) and Rotherham (12) scoring less, but there was a point when Watford’s away form was a massive strength before it culminated at Carrow Road in January.
Coming into their most recent away victory, the Hornets had won three of their last five on the road, drawing one and losing one - against Swansea. However, starting with a loss at the Riverside after the Norwich game their fortunes worsened. Draws at both Reading and Burnley preceded three consecutive defeats at Sheffield United, QPR and Luton. Another point was picked up at Coventry, despite leading by two at half-time before Saturday’s loss to Hull was the latest in their dismal run.
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