Sunderland are looking to record back-to-back wins this weekend when they take on Cardiff City, but experts think there are some underlying issues that could cause problems.
After suffering successive defeats for the first time in the league under Regis Le Bris, the win over Sheffield Wednesday last Friday was the perfect remedy for Sunderland.
The result keeps the Black Cats’ slim automatic promotion hopes alive, but they’ll need to be flawless from here on out.
Indeed, Sunderland cannot afford to slip up against Cardiff City this weekend if they want to keep up the heat at the top of the Championship table — but what do the experts think?
- READ MORE: Early Sunderland predicted XI vs Cardiff City as Regis Le Bris surprisingly excludes ‘in-form’ man
Sunderland have ‘selection issues’ but should have enough to beat Cardiff
Benjamin Bloom and Sam Parkin were looking ahead to the upcoming fixture on the Championship Check-In podcast, and they decided that, although Sunderland have some injury worries right now, they should still have enough quality to see off Cardiff.
Parkin said: “Obviously it’s not ideal missing Enzo Le Fee and a few selection issues, but they should be good for a victory here. I think Cardiff’s salvation will come at home, if they are to be in the Championship next season. I expect Sunderland to win it and be relatively comfortable. I’ll go 2-0 to Sunderland.”
Bloom agreed, and even suggested that Sunderland could be set to embark on a good run of form from here on out as they look to chase down the automatic promotion spots.
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He added: “I think Sunderland are going to look alright now, despite that weird defeat against Hull. They’re going to push on, and hope that they’re in a good position and push on, once Le Fee and Ballard and the others come back.
“He rested Isidor, Rigg, and Cirkin last week, so he is playing with it. Does he have an eye on the play-offs already? Sunderland fans will hope they’re not quite out of the automatic promotion race just yet. I was thinking 1-0… but I’ll go for 2-1 to Sunderland.”
Cardiff City clash is exactly the kind of game Sunderland could struggle with
The problem for Sunderland is, their form against Cardiff at the Stadium of Light is dire in recent years. In fact, Cardiff have won the last three trips to Wearside.
Cardiff may be struggling this season, but that kind of mental edge can make all the difference in a game like this.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LeedsLeeds | 35 | 22 | 10 | 3 | 72 | 22 | 50 | 76 |
| 2 |  Sheff UtdSheffield Utd | 35 | 23 | 6 | 6 | 50 | 27 | 23 | 73 |
| 3 |  BurnleyBurnley | 35 | 19 | 14 | 2 | 45 | 10 | 35 | 71 |
| 4 | SunderlandSunderland | 35 | 18 | 11 | 6 | 52 | 32 | 20 | 65 |
| 5 |  CoventryCoventry | 35 | 15 | 8 | 12 | 49 | 44 | 5 | 53 |
| 6 |  West BromWest Brom | 35 | 12 | 16 | 7 | 45 | 32 | 13 | 52 |
Sunderland slipped up earlier this year with points dropped against Plymouth Argyle, Watford, and Hull City at home, and Cardiff could well be the next to come away with something.
Le Bris will be desperate to end that curse in the latest Sunderland vs Cardiff clash, and bagging another win would help his team keep up pressure at the top, and keep their rivals at arm’s length behind them.