The somewhat favourable results at the weekend may have thrown Sunderland back into a Championship promotion race.
Sunderland beat Cardiff City at the weekend, with Eliezer Mayenda and Chris Mepham bagging the goals for Regis Le Bris’ side.
It was a third goal in two games for Mayenda, who has relished the opportunity of leading the line from the start, taking over from Wilson Isidor, who has been benched as a result.
The game unfortunately saw Patrick Roberts potentially pick up an injury, but the Black Cats still battled out for the win at the Stadium of Light.
Elsewhere, Burnley and Sheffield United notched wins against Luton Town and Preston North End respectively, but Leeds United went winless for a second successive game, falling to a 1-0 defeat at Fratton Park against Portsmouth.
Despite Sunderland certainly being outsiders, the promotion race could potentially be back on. Here are the next five fixtures predicted for the top four and where that could leave the Black Cats in the promotion picture.
Sunderland vs Preston prediction – Championship gameweek 37
Sunderland 2-1 Preston
Having lost on their travels to Sheffield United last time out, Preston North End may struggle once again, this time against Le Bris’ side. They currently find themselves in a bad run of form, having gone winless in their last five, but Sunderland will need to ensure that they put out a higher energy and more productive performance in regards to efforts in the final third if they are to seal the win.
Leeds United 3-0 Millwall
Sheffield United 1-1 Bristol City
Burnley 0-0 West Brom
Coventry vs Sunderland prediction – Championship gameweek 38
Coventry 2-1 Sunderland
Going away to the CBS Arena against the most in-form side in the Championship will be a massive challenge for Sunderland, and one that they will have to do incredibly to come out with a result. Le Bris’ side have shown their quality on their travels recently, but coming up against Coventry amid their hot streak could be a step too far. The Black Cats will have to be at the peak of their powers to stop Frank Lampard’s side.
QPR 2-2 Leeds United
Sheffield Wednesday 2-2 Sheffield United
Swansea 0-2 Burnley
Sunderland vs Millwall prediction – Championship gameweek 39
Sunderland 2-0 Millwall
Just like the Preston fixture, another home clash that should see Sunderland pick up all three points with relative ease. Millwall have notched some brilliant away victories in the last couple of weeks, beating both Watford and Luton Town, but a trip to the Stadium of Light should be one step too far for Neil Harris’ side.
Leeds United 2-0 Swansea
Sheffield United 1-3 Coventry
Burnley 1-1 Bristol City
West Brom vs Sunderland prediction – Championship gameweek 40
West Brom 0-1 Sunderland
Another tricky task for Sunderland would be their visit to the Hawthorns against a West Brom side managed by Tony Mowbray. Sunderland will be in for a challenge against the Baggies, especially considering their solid run of form, having picked up eight points in their last four. For the Black Cats, a smash and grab win would set them up perfectly for the remainder of the campaign.
Luton Town 0-3 Leeds United
Oxford United 1-2 Sheffield United
Coventry 2-0 Burnley
Norwich City vs Sunderland prediction – Championship gameweek 41
Norwich City 1-3 Sunderland
The favourable run of fixtures for Sunderland continues, with a visit to Carrow Road to face Norwich City. The Canaries appear to have taken Burnley’s title as the draw specialists, having produced three stalemates in their last six. Last time out it was a fiery affair between the two sides, with Sunderland coming away as 2-1 victors, and due to the fact that Borja Sainz has been out of form recently, the Black Cats will be looking to complete the double.
Middlesbrough 1-2 Leeds United
Sheffield United 2-0 Millwall
Derby County 0-3 Burnley
Predicted Championship promotion race after the next five games
Based on the score predictions outlined above, here is how the Championship table could look with five games left to go.
| Position | Team | Matches played | Goal difference | Points |
| 1st | Leeds United | 41 | +58 | 88 |
| 2nd | Sheffield United | 41 | +25 | 84 |
| 3rd | Burnley | 41 | +42 | 82 |
| 4th | Sunderland | 41 | +27 | 80 |
Sunderland would have to ensure that they capitalise on their favorable run of fixtures, and maybe even get a result at Coventry City, which could put them in a brilliant position for a late route into the automatic promotion spots.
The Black Cats are hopefully gaining consistency, based on their previous two wins in the league, something that will hold them in good stead.
If Sunderland find themselves within four points of difference of the automatic zone with five to play, expect Le Bris’ side to severely put the pressure on Sheffield United and Burnley, especially with the Black Cats’ favourable last five games of Swansea (H), Bristol City (A), Blackburn Rovers (H), Oxford United (A), Queens Park Rangers (H).