Sunderland are aiming to return to the Premier League for the primary time since 2017 however head into the Championship play-offs in opposition to Coventry Metropolis with out tasting victory since early April.
Regis Le Bris’ facet assured their place within the play-offs with 5 video games to spare however have been stuttering as of late, having suffered defeat in all of their remaining video games all through the build-up to their two-legged tie with the Sky Blues, stay on Sky Sports activities.
So as to add to their woes, the Black Cats have netted simply the one aim throughout their final six outings within the second tier and are available into this fixture brief on the arrogance that fired them into the dialog for automated promotion earlier within the marketing campaign.
Prime goalscorer Wilson Isidor final added to his tally of 12 for the season again in February, the place he netted the opening aim throughout a 2-1 defeat to champions Leeds United. His counterpart Eliezer Mayenda has one aim in his final 9 appearances.
Talking forward of the fixture, Le Bris defined the dip in kind for his facet, the place he mentioned: “We misplaced momentum as a result of we secured fourth place early. We had nothing to chase.
“Look what’s occurred to PSG. It will possibly occur to the largest groups (shedding momentum). We’ve one thing to chase once more now.”
In the meantime, Frank Lampard’s facet, who’ve been fired to inside touching distance of the Premier League as soon as once more regardless of dwelling in seventeenth when he succeeded Mark Robins in November, come into the fixture filled with perception.
Whereas Sunderland stuttered, Coventry continued to grind out outcomes to maintain the likes of Blackburn, Millwall and West Brom at bay and completed because the sixth most in-form crew inside the Championship throughout the ultimate six fixtures.
“It’s weird to go from taking part in meaningless soccer to it which means all the pieces. It’s uncommon to have the ability to swap it on once more,” mentioned Sky Sports activities’ Andy Hinchcliffe on the Important EFL podcast.
“That is actually difficult, you do not need to play Coventry given the shape they’re in. Sunderland have been treading water, I am unable to bear in mind a crew that has been on this place earlier than. It will possibly all of a sudden flip when the stress is on, however this isn’t best for them.
“They had been difficult for the highest two for a very long time. However do not be shocked in the event that they do swap it on. The Stadium of Gentle can be electrical.”
Sky Sports activities’ Gary Weaver echoed the claims made on the podcast, the place he emphasised how “bizarre” it was to witness the scenario that has unfolded at Sunderland throughout latest weeks.
The newest disappointment for Le Bris’ facet arrived on the ultimate day of the common season when his facet suffered a 1-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers, earlier than being booed off the pitch at residence following their dismal run of kind.
Highlights of the Sky Wager Championship match between Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers
Weaver added: “It is a bizarre scenario. Sunderland have been booed off in opposition to QPR and that isn’t the send-off they wished. They are going to be glad that is over and let’s not overlook how good they’ve been, they’re victims of their very own success on account of being in fourth for therefore lengthy.
“We have not actually spoken about it in the previous few weeks, as they had been assured fourth, it was like they went off the radar.
Sunderland’s probabilities of promotion together with the playoffs throughout the Championship season
“The final two video games are the playoff crew. Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda aren’t in goalscoring kind and all of a sudden they should flip that swap. They’ve an opportunity to reset now.
“That is three video games to get to the Premier League, I am positive the gamers can be motivated. It is likely one of the strangest conditions for these gamers; the video games have had no jeopardy, and now they face the largest recreation of their lives.
“It will likely be attention-grabbing to see if the gamers can flip it again on.”
The primary leg of the tie can be performed on the CBS Enviornment on Friday, earlier than the second leg within the north east on Tuesday, and Le Bris’ facet mustn’t undergo the identical destiny as their final go to to Coventry, in the event that they need to maximise the influence their residence crowd can have within the reverse fixture.
The 2 sides final met in March and it was Haji Wright’s hat-trick on the afternoon that secured all three factors in a dominant win for the hosts.
On the threats Coventry have which make an identical scoreline unfolding a danger for Sunderland, Hinchcliffe added: “Coventry, you take a look at the shape, they’re the one one of many 4 that rank within the high six.
“Sunderland are all-time low. One single level within the final six video games and one single aim. They may have loads of considerations.
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“Frank has completed a tremendous job. You take a look at the make-up of Coventry, take a look at the people, the goalkeeping scenario is attention-grabbing. Ben Wilson coming again into the facet and Milan van Ewijk is the second-best right-back within the Championship.
“Matt Grimes is an enormous signing for them by way of controlling matches. That might be a masterstroke from Lampard.
“Jack Rudoni is probably the most in kind attacker for all 4 sides and Haji Wright backs him up too. They’ve a whole lot of harmful gamers however Sunderland can be completely happy they’re at residence within the second leg.”
Watch Coventry vs Sunderland within the first leg of the Championship semi-final stay on Sky Sports activities Soccer and Sky Sports activities Most important Occasion from 7pm on Friday.
