The Black Cats' bid for automatic promotion may have been dealt a cruel blow following three consecutive defeats, but they can still secure a place in the League One play-offs this weekend.
Only two teams currently outside of the top six can catch Sunderland from outside of the play-offs positions.
Lee Johnson's side must win against Accrington Stanley and hope Portsmouth drop points at home to struggling Bristol Rovers.
Like Sunderland, Portsmouth have four games remaining ahead of this weekend's round of fixtures, with Pompey looking for their first win in four games against the Gas.
The Black Cats are seven points clear of Danny Cowley's side who lie just outside the play-offs in eight place. Failure to win this weekend wouldn't end Pompey's play-off hopes, it would simply guarantee that Sunderland can't be overtaken.
Sunderland do have a superior goal difference to the south coast side, with a 16 goal cushion as things stand.
Even if Portsmouth pick up a point, and the Black Cats win against Stanley, Cowley's side would have to win all three of their remaining games and hope Johnson's side lose by a considerable amount in all three of their fixtures in order to swing the goal difference in their favour.
A win against Stanley would also ensure that the Black Cats are unable to be caught by Oxford United in seventh place - who have two games remaining after their trip to Plymouth Argyle.
If Sunderland fail to win this weekend they must win at least one of their remaining games to secure a place in the League One play-offs.
