Sunderland next play Oxford United in the Championship, with some potentially winnable games to follow for the Black Cats.
On Wednesday night, Sunderland claimed a second-straight win away from home, following back-to-back defeats on the road for the Black Cats.
Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland beat Luton Town 2-1 at Kenilworth Road in a game with a lot of talking points, one being a disallowed goal for the Hatters which lead to Rob Edwards saying VAR might have given the goal.
Ahead of a game against Oxford United at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon, the Black Cats find themselves in 1st place of the Championship table, now with a three-point lead over Burnley and Leeds United in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
The U’s meanwhile are in 11th. Oxford United manager Des Buckingham looks set to take charge after a health scare in midweek.
Predicting Sunderland’s next five fixtures as Michael Graham sets points target
Sunderland have four more games, including the Oxford United game, before the November international break.
There’s also just 13 more Championship games standing between the Black Cats and the January transfer window.
Oxford United
For this one, EFL pundit Sam Parkin has predicted a 2-0 Sunderland win, but he’s also backed Oxford United to frustrate the Black Cats.
They’ve drawn their last five in the Championship taking a point off both Burnley and West Brom during that run.
Prediction: Sunderland 2-0 Oxford United
QPR
After Oxford United, Sunderland have a week off, then travelling to London to face strugglers QPR.
The R’s currently sit in 23rd place of the Championship table and have won just once all season, coincidentally winning 2-1 away at Luton Town.
During the summer, Sunderland were linked with QPR manager Marti Cifuentes who is now coming under pressure.
His side ended a run of four-straight defeats with a draw against Coventry City in midweek. But Sunderland will surely be expected to win this one.
Prediction: QPR 0-2 Sunderland
Preston North End
Sunderland then have another midweek away game, travelling to Preston North End in a game against another side who’ve had a mixed season so far.
And it’s another team who are managed by someone who was linked with Sunderland during the summer in Paul Heckingbottom.
Preston are now unbeaten in four and have lost just one of their last seven league games, drawing 2-2 at home to Norwich City in midweek.
A potential banana kin for Sunderland, it seems, and a much different challenge to the likes of Luton Town.
Prediction: Preston North End 1-1 Sunderland
Coventry City
Coventry City are another struggling team, with the Sky Blues now sitting in 22nd place of the table after losing a 1-0 goal lead at QPR in midweek.
Missing out on a top six spot last season, Coventry City haven’t been the same since, with just two Championship wins all season and nine points on the board.
This could be another physical battle like Luton, which the Black Cats overcame, and will have taken plenty of confidence from.
Prediction: Coventry City 1-2 Sunderland
- READ MORE: Sunderland fans hail ‘outstanding’ player who is the best they’ve ‘ever seen’ after Luton Town
Millwall
The Den is always a tough place to go to. That could prove to be especially true for a youthful Sunderland side boasting a few players that have never played there before.
The Lions are picking up form in the Championship as well, now having lost just one of their last six, beating Plymouth Argyle in midweek.
Millwall currently find themselves in 13th place of the table and will back themselves to take something from Sunderland, playing as the underdogs.
Sunderland don’t play Millwall until after the November international break either, around a month from now, so a lot could change before then.
Prediction: Millwall 1-1 Sunderland
Journalist Michael Graham believes that 10 to 12 points from the next five games would be a ‘very good return’, and we’ve predicted Sunderland to take 11 points.