Sunderland’s Premier League run-in assessed, fixture difficulty and opposition form | OneFootball

Sunderland return from the international break with seven league games to chase a top-half finish and maybe Europe, starting with Tottenham and ending with Chelsea.

Tottenham visit on 12 April, form LLLDL, 17th. Set-pieces and Richarlison, nine goals, are dangers, but fragile confidence could crack if Sunderland score early. Prediction: 3-1.

Aston Villa away on 19 April, form DLLLW, 4th. Villa Park is strong, 32 of 54 points there, and Sunderland have only four away wins. Prediction: 2-0.

Nottingham Forest at home on 24 April, form LLDDW, 16th. A 3-0 win at Tottenham may lift belief, but Morgan Gibbs-White is the main threat. Prediction: 2-0.

Wolves away on 2 May, form DLWWD, 20th. They have rallied and Adam Armstrong scored at Brentford before the break. This could finish level. Prediction: 1-1.

Manchester United at home on 9 May, form WWLWD, 3rd. Michael Carrick’s team have pace and movement, with Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes creating, plus Benjamin Sesko from the bench. Prediction: 1-2.

Everton away on 17 May, form LWWLW, 8th. Sunderland won on penalties at Hill Dickinson in the FA Cup after a 1-1 draw, but Everton have momentum with wins over Newcastle and Chelsea. Prediction: 2-0.

Chelsea at home on 24 May, form DLWLL, 6th. The switch from Enzo Maresca to Liam Rosenior has not brought rhythm, and whether he is still in charge then is unclear. Cole Palmer is the key threat, though on one goal in nine. Prediction: 1-1.

Source: Sunderland Echo