Sunderland have a tough run leading into 2025, with one particular standout game against joint-leaders Sheffield United coming up.
Sunderland have passed the initial test under Regis Le Bris. They’ve started well, had a couple of setbacks and shown resilience.
The defeat at Watford in September could’ve ended the positive start there and then. But Le Bris’ side bounced back with four wins in five and are unbeaten since.
Disappointment struck last weekend, though. Coventry City came from behind to draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, leaving the Black Cats with three draws in their last three.
Still, Sunderland remain in 1st place of the Championship table. Here we predict the rest of Sunderland’s 2024 fixtures…
Sunderland’s nine remaining Championship fixtures in 2024
Millwall (A)
Always a tricky away outing for Championship teams, and especially so for Sunderland who have Trai Hume, Patrick Roberts, and Jobe Bellingham suspended for this one.
Millwall currently sit in 8th place of the table and are unbeaten in their last seven. Realistically, a point would be a very good result here.
Score prediction: Millwall 1-1 Sunderland
West Brom (H)
Top six contenders West Brom ended a run of six-straight draws with a 2-1 win at Hull City last time out. But the Baggies are proving to be quiet at both ends this season with 16 goals scored and only nine conceded.
Depending on how Sunderland get on at Millwall, this could be a very tricky and close encounter.
Score prediction: Sunderland 0-0 West Brom
Sheffield United (A)
Without doubt, this will be Sunderland’s biggest test so far. The Blades have crept up the table and would be in 1st place if it weren’t for a two-point deduction at the start of the season.
With their best players back from suspension and hopefully injury as well, Sunderland will put up a very good fight. Again, a point here would be a good result.
Score prediction: Sheffield United 1-1 Sunderland
Stoke City (H)
Stoke City are the kind of team Sunderland really need to beat comfortably if they want to challenge this season. At the Stadium of Light, this should be a routine win.
Score prediction: Sunderland 2-0 Stoke City
Bristol City (H)
Similarly, Sunderland need to put away those tricky mid-table teams like Bristol City, who can aways be potential banana skins.
The Robins though sit 5th in the away form table and will fancy their chances in this midweek clash.
Score prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Bristol City
Swansea City (A)
Swansea City are holding their own this season, albeit without blowing anyone away as of yet.
Sunderland may view this one as a must-win if they’re held against Bristol City. The Swans aren’t high-scoring this season.
Score prediction: Swansea City 0-2 Sunderland
Norwich City (H)
Championship big-hitters Norwich City currently sit in 14th place of the table after a slow start, losing their last three before this international break and being winless in six.
Score prediction: Sunderland 3-1 Norwich City
Blackburn Rovers (A)
A tricky outing to top six challengers Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day. Sunderland were thumped 5-1 by Blackburn in their last meeting but won their last game at Ewood Park 3-1.
A draw would again be a good result in this away outing.
Score prediction: Blackburn Rovers 2-2 Sunderland
Stoke City (A)
A second clash against Stoke City in the coming weeks. Though at the bet365 Stadium on what promises to be a chilly afternoon to end 2024, it’s going to be tricky for the Black Cats.
Score prediction: Stoke City 1-1 Sunderland
Where will Sunderland be in the Championship table by 2025?
The above prediction gives Sunderland 15 points from a possible 27 in their remaining nine games of 2024, which would take their points tally to 46 for the season.
On New Year’s Day 2024, Leicester City were top of the Championship table on a staggering 65 points, leading 2nd place Ipswich Town by 10 points.
Looking at last season’s table, 46 points come New Year would have Sunderland in 5th, which after this table-topping start to the campaign would certainly be disappointing for the Black Cats.