Sunderland playoff opponents predicted by supercomputer after Norwich draw
Sunderland cemented their spot in the playoffs against Norwich and will now have to wait to see who they will face in the semifinal.
Sunderland’s spot in the playoffs was confirmed in what was a rather dull 0-0 draw away to Norwich City on Tuesday night.
Regis Le Bris made several changes to his starting 11 in a bid to rest some key players, while being forced into other changes due to injuries elsewhere.
However, the result means that Sunerland have little left to play for in the final five games, and will now await their opponents in the first of three big games ahead of a potential return to the Premier League.
Le Bris has succeeded at Sunderland
When Le Bris was appointed, the main goal was to get Sunderland in the playoffs, and after the disappointment of the previous campaign, those ambitions were met with very little optimism.
However, with five games to go, Sunderland have reached their target, and according to the latest Opta supercomputer predictions, a semi-final clash with Bristol City awaits.
| Championship | W | D | L | P |
| Sunderland | 21 | 13 | 7 | 76 |
The Black Cats are forecasted to finish on 84 points, which would see them seven points behind Sheffield United in third and 14 points above fifth-placed Bristol City.
Sheffield United would then face Coventry City in the other semi-final, potentially setting up for an all-red and white tie at Wembley to decide who returns to the Premier League.
Premier League football could be returning to the Stadium of Light
Supporting Sunderland has provided more misery than not over the past eight years, but things are certainly changing for the better.
Missing out on promotion this season wouldn’t be a failure, but it would be a huge disappointment to have nothing to show for what has been a fruitful campaign at large.
Five games remain for Le Bris to build momentum at Sunderland, and give them the best chance of progressing to the final at Wembley.