The mists are lifting and Sunderland now have a clear picture of what they need on the final day of the Championship season to book a play-off place. Blackburn Rovers' 1-1 draw against Luton Town last night saw the Lancashire side play their game in hand of their rivals, which has removed some of the uncertainty.
And as the Championship gears up for Monday's finale, there are still five teams in the race for the two available play-off slots behind Luton, who will finish third, and Middlesbrough, who will finish fourth. Fifth-placed Coventry City are in pole position to book one of those play-off places with 69 points, with Millwall sitting sixth on 68 points, and then Sunderland, West Brom, and Blackburn are all locked on 66 points.
Of all the contenders, Coventry (+12) have the best goal difference, followed by Sunderland (+10), Millwall (+8), West Brom (+7) and then Blackburn (-3). And, should it come to it, Sunderland have scored more goals than any of their rivals with 65, compared to Coventry and West Brom (both 57), Millwall (54), and Blackburn (48).
