Sunderland’s run in – Do they stand a chance?
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With 12 games left, the Black Cats sit 19th in the Premier League table, one point from safety.
Sam Allardyce thought that six wins would be enough for Sunderland to beat the drop in his pre-match press conference before the Manchester United game. Following the 2-1 win, Big Sam still, by his own calculations, wants another 15 points from the remaining games.
We’ve taken a look at Sunderland’s final 12 games to see where we think they’ll be able to pick up points:
West Ham (A)
West Ham are one of the surprise packages of the season so far and it’s no surprise when they have the undoubted quality of a player like Dimitri Payet in midfield.
West Ham have picked up wins against the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City this season but have dropped points at home against Bournemouth, Norwich and West Brom. Following Sunderland’s vital win against Manchester United, I think they will be confident of getting something out of this one.
Prediction: 1 Point
Crystal Palace (H)
Having beat Crystal Palace already this season, Big Sam will be looking to do the double in what is going to be a massive game for Sunderland.
The Black Cats will have to grasp every opportunity they have when playing at the Stadium of Light but this game won’t come easy – as emphasised last year – when Palace romped to a 4-1 victory on a day where Sunderland were ripped apart
In the grand scheme of things this will be a massive game for Sunderland and I think a win here will momentarily take them above the dotted line.
Prediction: 3 Points
Southampton (A)
Sunderland face another trip down South when they travel to face Southampton at St Marys.
The Black Cats very rarely get points on the South Coast and I don’t think that will change.
I think Allardyce may set up to try and get a point, but I think Ronald Koeman’s side may just steal a narrow victory.
Prediction: 0 Points
Everton (H)
Following the catastrophic game at Goodison Park earlier in the season, I think Allardyce will set up a lot more defensively this time around to try and nullify the Everton attack.
Albeit a point is a possibility in this one, unfortunately, I just don’t see Sunderland grabbing anything from this one having conceded six against the Toffees already this campaign.
Having said that, Everton haven’t lived up to their expectations thus far, so life will certainly be made difficult for Roberto Martinez’s side if the Black Cats are up for it.
Prediction: 0 Points
Newcastle (A)
This has the potential to be one of the most important North-East Derby’s in years as both Newcastle and Sunderland are likely to be battling each other in the dreaded relegation battle.
Having won six in a row against the Magpies, the Black Cats are going to have to perform another derby sensation here as I feel Newcastle will be desperate for a win too and have picked up the majority of their points at St James’ Park
Following my predicted two defeats, I think this will be a must-win for Sunderland and it will certainly not come easy. Big Sam already has one win against the North-East rivals, and he’ll be praying for another one here.
Prediction: 3 Points
West Brom (H)
West Brom haven’t been convincing this season but it looks as if Tony Pulis is going to prevent yet another team from falling to the Championship.
On paper, this is a game the fans will expect Sunderland to win and I think a positive result against Newcastle will get Allardyce’s squad fired up for this one and be a catalyst to help them to a season-defining three points.
Prediction: 3 Points
Leicester (H)
It is obviously time to take Leicester City very seriously and considering they will be challenging for the most unexpected title win in the history of the Premier League, they will need to pick up three points here if they want to achieve what many thought was impossible.
Claudio Ranieri’s side beat Sunderland 4-2 on the first game of the season which was the start of their fairy-tale, and now they’re going to want to conclude it with a double over the Black Cats.
This is certainly a match Leicester will need to win and I think with the amount of goals the Foxes are capable of scoring, I don’t think Sunderland will pick up anything in this one.
Prediction: 0 Points
Norwich (A)
The Black Cats lost at Carrow Road on their last trip and also when they faced them at the Stadium of Light earlier in the season, however at this point in the season, especially as I think Norwich will be near the bottom come this fixture, Allardyce will undoubtedly do his best to ensure that the Canaries do not take all three points here.
This will be a pivotal fixture for both sides and I feel it is one Sunderland must NOT lose.
Prediction: 1 Point
Arsenal (H)
Having already lost to Arsenal twice this season, I think another defeat is in line for the Black Cats as the Gunners will likely to be contending for first place and therefore, they will need the maximum points out of every game they play.
Sunderland will have to ensure that they don’t ship too many goals in this game as well as goal difference could play a massive factor come the final day of the season. I just don’t see Sunderland picking any points up in this one.
Prediction: 0 Points
Stoke (A)
Sunderland will face a difficult trip to the Britannia Stadium as their season comes to a close and with Allardyce’s 15 points not being achieved yet, a win here could put them on their way to reaching that target.
Sunderland managed a point in this fixture last year and grabbed three points at the Stadium of Light in the game between the sides earlier this season so a win here is certainly not out of their reach.
I think this will be a very close game between the sides but I think Sunderland may grab all three points.
Prediction: 3 Points
Chelsea (H)
Sunderland haven’t been renowned for getting many points off the so-called “big teams” thus far, however, surely three points against a team that possesses sheer quality can be expected? I think this is simply a game where Sunderland must pick up points.
If like I predicted, Sunderland win at Stoke, they will be full of confidence going into their final home game and will be fired up for this one, consequently, I can see Allardyce’s side picking up a big point in their final home game.
Prediction: 1 Point
Watford (A)
Watford ran out 1-0 winners in the last meeting between the sides and I think Sanchez Flores’ side will be settling for mid-table mediocrity in their first season back in the top-flight. I think the relegation battle will go right to the final day and as I can see the Watford team seeing a few changes in the side, I can see Allardyce grabbing a vital point and securing safety for his Sunderland side.
Prediction: 1 Point
The final outcome...
Overall, I think Sunderland will finish on 39 points and that should be enough to secure Premier League safety for the Black Cats.
Last year, Sunderland survived with 38 points and at this point last season, with 12 games to go, were on 25 points; so Big Sam will be hoping that his 38 point target will again be enough to help them beat the drop.