It feels like a massive game for Sunderland this weekend with the Black Cats coming into this game with a gap of seven points on the playoff spots once more with Swansea City up next at the Stadium of Light.
2024 has been tough for Sunderland, and after sitting as high as fifth at the start of December, the club come into this game with a gap of seven points now on Hull City in sixth.
The Black Cats lost again last time out to put them on a two-game losing run, and both losses have been to those fighting relegation down at the bottom end of the Championship. Huddersfield Town inflicted a 1-0 win on them in Yorkshire two weeks ago, as Birmingham City edged out a 2-1 win over them after Jack Clarke gave Sunderland the lead at first.
The last win for Sunderland was when Pierre Ekwah, Jobe Bellingham and Clarke all scored in a 3-1 home win over Plymouth Argyle. This, combined with the same scoreline win against Stoke City and a New Year's Day win over Preston North End are the only wins for Sunderland in 2024 so far, having also crashed out of the FA Cup this calendar year to rivals Newcastle United.
As for Swansea, it's been a very poor season for them, and the club come into this one down in 18th and adrift of the relegation zone by only four points. In fact, with a loss at home to Ipswich Town being their 15th of the Championship season, they have now won only two games in 2024 after a New Year's Day win over West Bromwich Albion and a narrow 1-0 win away to Hull City.
Recent results have also seen the Swans lose 4-0 at home to Leeds United, and suffer defeats to Plymouth Argyle and Southampton in South Wales, alongside a draw with Birmingham and losses to Leicester City in the league and Bournemouth in the FA Cup
