Stats suggest Sunderland are at risk of sleepwalking into play-offs, Regis Le Bris must act swiftly

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Sunderland are entering a crucial period of their Championship season in a disappointing run of form.

The Black Cats have enjoyed an extremely positive season overall, with Regis Le Bris’ side sat comfortably in fourth place, 12 points ahead of Tony Mowbray’s West Brom who currently sit in the lowest play-off spot in sixth.

However, the automatic promotion places are all but out of sight for Sunderland. Leaders Leeds United and current second-place Sheffield United both boast an 11-point buffer – and sufficient gulf in quality – over the Black Cats.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	38	23	11	4	76	25	51	80
2	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	38	25	7	6	53	28	25	80
3	BurnleyBurnley	38	21	15	2	52	11	41	78
4	SunderlandSunderland	38	19	12	7	55	37	18	69
5	CoventryCoventry	38	17	8	13	55	48	7	59
6	West BromWest Brom	38	13	18	7	48	34	14	57

With Sunderland having a seemingly sufficient points tally to cement their play-off fate, and having little chance of catching the aforementioned top two, the Black Cats’ campaign seems to be at an impasse.

Sunderland’s stalling season has been evident in their two most recent outings prior to the international break, in which they rescued a point late at home to Preston thanks to a Romain Mundle wondergoal, and then were days later dispatched with ease in a 3-0 loss at Coventry.

Those two disappointing results, and the manner in which Sunderland performed, has seeped some doubts into the supporter base as to whether some complacency and staleness has crept into the side ahead of the final eight-game run-in.

• READ MORE: The two-start Sunderland man set to play pivotal part in play-off run-in

Results and stats show Sunderland are sleepwalking into play-offs

Sunderland’s form has significantly suffered since the turn of the year and the Black Cats’ statistics make for concerning reading. 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.

Sunderland fans will be hoping the international break will allow the squad to reset ahead of this season’s business end, because if the Black Cats carry their ‘lazy’ energy from the Sky Blues defeat into the run-in, then no positive momentum will be created.

Chris Mepham has highlighted the need for momentum, something which is one of the most potent factors for sides heading into the play-offs. The gulf in the Black Cats’ compared to fellow play-off contenders Coventry, this could prove pivotal in those decisive affairs. 

What Regis Le Bris must do in final eight games

Le Bris must act accordingly and freshen up his starting XI ahead of Sunderland’s run-in, rotating the side to enable his top talents to revitalize and return to their best for the promotion push, given many appeared depleted both mentally and physically against the Sky Blues.

Coventry have been resurgent under Frank Lampard, winning four of their last five games, charging full-steam ahead into the play-offs. Whereas, Sunderland appeared ‘exhausted’ at the CBS Arena, and fans will be hoping that the break can give players a chance to recharge their batteries for the upcoming run-in.

Sunderland’s upcoming Championship fixtures:

If Le Bris fails to put the brakes on Sunderland’s downturn in form of late, then the Black Cats will be heading into their almost-certain play-off fate fatigued in both body and mind, at the same time their rivals are ramping up for the final hurdle.

However if Sunderland can put some of those teams to the sword in their final eight fixtures, and get back to winning ways more convincingly, then that crucial positivity will inevitably propel the Black Cats forward ahead of the pivotal play-offs.