Stats show Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland are still one of the Championship’s best despite drop-off

Add as preferred source on Google

Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland side return to action against Millwall on Saturday following the international break.

Sunderland host Millwall on Saturday afternoon with Regis Le Bris’ side sitting fourth in the Championship table, cementing themselves firmly amidst the Championship’s top-six.

Alex Neil’s Lions sit in 11th place, and Millwall will be tough for Sunderland to contend with, as the Black Cats look to return to form following the international break and put the brakes on their slight slump in form.

Prior to the break, Sunderland were beaten by Coventry 3-0 in a lacklustre performance which was labelled as ‘lazy’ by some Sunderland supporters, a far-cry from the characteristically intense showing of Le Bris’ side.

Sunderland’s hammering at the hands of the Sky Blues sent the supporters into the international break on a sour note.

The Black Cats find themselves in limbo, with enough points to feasibly have secured play-offs but with an extremely unlikely chance of catching the top-two. However, Le Bris’ Sunderland side are still one of the second tier’s best in the most important metric despite the depreciation in performances.

• READ MORE: How Sunderland’s final eight games compare to Championship play-off rivals Coventry City and West Brom

Sunderland have fourth-highest Championship points tally so far in 2025

Sunderland’s win rate has decreased since the turn of the year, as from the beginning of this campaign until the final game of 2024, Le Bris’ side won 12 of their 24 fixtures, drawing eight times and losing on four occasions.

However, in 2025, Sunderland have only won seven of 14 played this calendar year, drawing four times and losing three. As such, their loss rate has dramatically jumped from 16.6% to 21.4%, with three of their seven total losses across the whole season coming from their most recent six fixtures.

Despite this, the Black Cats have still earned the fourth-highest points tally in the Championship so far in 2025 with 25, mirroring their current league position. Beneath only leaders Leeds, third-placed Burnley, and title-hopefuls Sheffield United and Frank Lampard’s in-form Sky Blues.

Sunderland need to build ‘momentum’ and find form again during run-in for play-offs

Sunderland star Chris Mepham believes ‘momentum’ is pivotal for the Black Cats to create and take into their imperative final run of fixtures.

Sunderland’s Championship run-in

Sunderland started their season on a high and have slowly come back down to play-off reality. Given Sunderland’s season has been seen as disappointing so far this calendar year, it is testament to how impressive the Black Cats side had been within those opening 24 fixtures.

Le Bris’ side must rediscover that early form that set the Championship alight during the run-in, starting with a commanding win over Millwall this weekend, and take that pivotal positive momentum into the seemingly inevitable play-offs.