Regis Le Bris’ side find themselves in 11th position in the Premier League table with seven games still to play.
What do they have to do to secure a European spot? And how likely is that to happen?
HOW MANY EUROPEAN PLACES ARE AVAILABLE?
At the moment, that is a very good question. In a normal season, the Premier League is guaranteed seven European qualification spots – the top four finishers qualify for the Champions League, fifth secures a Europa League spot with another going to the FA Cup winners, the Carabao Cup winners qualify for the Conference League.
However, there are already going to be alterations to that system. As was the case last season, the strength of the Premier League’s coefficient means England are almost certain to be granted an extra Champions League spot. That would mean the top five finishers in the Premier League qualifying for that competition.
Manchester City’s Carabao Cup win yesterday means that competition’s European spot will move across to the league assuming, as looks extremely likely, Pep Guardiola’s side qualify for the Champions League.
The identity of the FA Cup winners will also have a big impact on things as that competition’s European spot could also transfer back across to the league if a side in the top five triumphs in the final at Wembley.
As things stand, the likeliest scenario is probably that the top five finishers make the Champions League, the teams in sixth and seventh make the Europa League and eighth is good enough for a Conference League spot.
MIGHT THAT STILL CHANGE?
Yes. The other big unknown is what happens in this season’s European competitions. If Liverpool win the Champions League and finish outside the top five, they will be guaranteed a place in next season’s competition.
If Aston Villa win the Europa League, they are guaranteed a Champions League place. Depending on where they finish, that could mean six English teams qualifying for next season’s tournament, as was the case this season.
If Crystal Palace win the Conference League, they get a Europa League spot, which would have a knock-on effect for qualifying spots for that competition.
At the moment, it still looks likely that a top-eight finish will guarantee a European spot of some description. However, that could still change right up to the final week of the season.
WHERE DO SUNDERLAND CURRENTLY SIT?
Sunderland are 11th after beating Newcastle at the weekend, with 43 points from their 31 matches.
They are six points adrift of the top five with seven games remaining, so while Champions League qualification remains possible, it is unlikely.
A European spot of some description is a definite possibility though, with the Wearsiders three points adrift of bothy seventh-placed Brentford and eighth-placed Everton, albeit with an inferior goal difference to both of those sides.
HOW DOES THEIR RUN-IN LOOK?
Pretty reasonable. Three of Sunderland’s next four matches pit them against Tottenham, Nottingham Forest and Wolves, all teams currently sitting in the bottom five.
A home game against Manchester United looks tricky, while Sunderland’s final away game, which takes them to Everton on May 17, has the potential to be a shootout for the Europa League or Conference League positions.
The Black Cats end the season with a home game against Chelsea, another game that could have major implications in terms of European qualification for both clubs.