Sunderland are not in must-win territory, which is the case for basement side Aston Villa, but the Black Cats are still stuck inside the Premier League relegation zone, currently four points behind the safety of 17th place, which is held by Norwich City.
Just five wins have arrived in Sunderland’s 23 league games this season, while they have suffered 14 defeats, which is the joint-worst record in the division alongside Aston Villa. As mentioned, however, the situation is not terminal and Sam Allardyce will still be confident that he and indeed his squad have the credentials to pull off an escape in the final months.
For all the doom and gloom surrounding Sunderland’s season, the Black Cats have taken seven points from the last 12 available, which has included wins over both Aston Villa and Swansea City. They also held Bournemouth to a 1-1 draw last time out and the fact that they have managed to pick up points against the teams around them is even more vital when considering what they have to come this month.
The fixture list for February has not been kind. After this one, they will travel to Liverpool, before welcoming Manchester United. It does not get any easier, however, as they then face a trip to West Ham United before the end of the month. Those matches are even more worrying when considering that Sunderland have only claimed four points from a possible 33 against teams in the top half of the table.
Sunderland have been boosted by the signings of Lamine Kone and Wahbi Khazri from Lorient and Bordeaux respectively, however, and the pair are both expected to make their debuts in this match. Kone in particular has been signed with the view to improving what has been the worst defence in the league this season, with 46 goals conceded in their 23 fixtures.