Everything had been going well for Sunderland at the beginning of this season, but there was the nagging feeling that something had to go wrong. And it did.
In the last three league matches Sunderland have lost 3-0 to Sheffield Wednesday, 5-1 to Rotherham, and 1-0 to Charlton, leaving Sunderland down in fifth place with promotion hopes increasingly precarious.
But are there the league fixtures coming up in the next few weeks which could get the Black Cats back up a few places so that everyone can have a happy Christmas?
First up is Ipswich Town at the Stadium of Light on November 20. Ipswich are ninth at the moment and in mixed form. Three points are definitely there for the taking.
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On November 23 it’s an away trip to Shrewsbury Town, who are down in 21st place. Another three points are needed. Then on November 27 Sunderland travel to Cambridge United who look beatable.
Then there’s a home match against Morecambe, who are looking poor down in 20th, on December 7. Then another home match against Plymouth Argyle, currently second in the table, on December 11.
The final match before Christmas will be away at Ipswich Town on December 18.
You can use our prediction widget above to plot whether those stepping stones will help Sunderland get back into a promotion spot or whether they will crumble away.
Feel free to share your results on social media or in the comments below.
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