Sunderland go into this month’s international in 1st place of the Championship.
Sunderland retained their top spot last Friday, after drawing 2-2 with Leeds United at the Stadium of Light.
Regis Le Bris’ side were massively helped out by a last minute goalkeeping blunder from Illan Meslier, but Sunderland still took an important point from the game.
It leaves Sunderland in 1st place of the Championship table after the opening nine games of the season.
Sheffield United are now level on points in 2nd. Chris Wilder has guided the Blades to an unbeaten start to the season, beating Luton Town 2-0 last time out.
Burnley are currently in 3rd, with West Brom in 4th, Leeds United in 5th, and Watford in 6th; Watford beat Sunderland 2-1 at the end of last month.
Just three points separate the top six as things stand, and with 37 league games left to play, the table and the indeed top six can completely change by May, or even by the New Year.
- READ MORE: Pundit urges Sunderland to complete ‘unbelievable’ signing that could be ‘catalyst’ for promotion
Sunderland tipped to drop off in the Championship
Speaking on Football Heaven, BBC pundit Rob Staton was discussing Sheffield United’s strong recent form.
The Blades are unbeaten in the Championship this season, and if it weren’t for a two point deduction going into this season, would be top of the table right now.
Staton said on Football Heaven: “They [Sheffield United] would be top of the league if it wasn’t for the points deduction, and it feels like they’re probably the best team in the Championship right now.
“I watched a bit of that Burnley Preston game and I thought Burnley, they don’t look quite on it. They did last time they were in the Championship.”
And on Sunderland, Staton said: “I thought Sunderland looked very good from what I saw against Leeds… They’re still top. But they’re not going to be top by Christmas. Sunderland will not be up there.”
Sunderland inexperience could cost them in Championship run-in
Even though Sunderland added some experience to their ranks in the summer, and even though the bulk of their players now have one or two seasons of Championship football under their belt, they remain inexperienced.
Compared to the likes of Burnley, Sheffield United, West Brom and Leeds, Sunderland lack players with Championship and promotion expertise.
Le Bris also lacks experience as a first-team manager, despite having worked in football for a long time, and so it’s certainly a difficult challenge for Sunderland to remain competitive.
But the Black Cats could yet play into that underdog tag that many seem to be giving them already this season, and surprise everyone by earning promotion.