Premier League Relegation Tip: Sunderland

After studying the final fixtures for all the teams down the bottom of the Premier League, one feeling leapt out above all others. Sunderland are in big trouble. But at best odds of 7/2 (PaddyPower) for relegation, the word is not yet out, and we should take advantage before it becomes more obvious.

The Black Cats already have the longest winless run in the top flight (7 matches) and that sequence is likely to extend well into April at least.

30 March: Sunderland v Man Utd
07 April:  Chelsea v Sunderland
14 April:  Newcastle v Sunderland
20 April:  Sunderland v Everton
29 April:  Villa v Sunderland
04 May:  Sunderland v Stoke
12 May:  Sunderland v Southampton
19 May:  Spurs v Sunderland

Next up are Manchester United and Chelsea, with a trip to St James’s Park and a home clash with Everton to follow that. It’s quite conceivable that Sunderland will still be stuck on something close to the 31 points they have now when they head to Villa Park on 29 April.

After that six-pointer in the west Midlands the Mackems have two fixtures at the Stadium of Light against Stoke and Southampton. Based on my calculations, even four points from those two outings may not be enough with only a visit to Spurs left after that.

So much will of course depend on what the other sides fighting for survival achieve. But I think it may take 38 points to avoid the drop this term. Martin O’Neill’s boys would therefore require another seven to be safe and that could be a very tall order from the matches remaining.