Sunderland vs Swansea City predictions: Black Cats may soon prepare for the play-offs
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- Sunderland are fourth in the table, nine points off Burley in second
- Swansea have taken seven points from their last three matches
- Recommended bet: Swansea or draw double chance
Nine points adrift of automatic promotion with only five games to play, Sunderland may feel as if their play-off preparations are already underway and it is unlikely to be one-way traffic at home to an in-form Swansea on Saturday.
The Black Cats have had an excellent campaign under Regis Le Bris, especially given how inexperienced their squad is and the fact that they are still having to manage an extremely busy treatment table.
A top-two finish looks out of reach for Sunderland and having a 16-point lead over seventh-placed Middlesbrough means it would be no surprise if they take their foot off the gas.
Going into the play-offs in good form still remains a priority but keeping key players fit and healthy is the priority, which makes this Championship clash with the Swans tough to predict.
The Welsh visitors are still on the look out for a permanent manager but Alan Sheehan deserves credit for turning the club’s form around, taking seven points from their last three league matches.
Team news
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Sunderland remain without Dan Ballard, Dennis Cirkin, Niall Huggins, Ahmed Abdullahi, Aji Alese, Jenson Seelt, Romaine Mundle and Ian Poveda.
However, Salis Abdul Samed is back in contention and Jobe Bellingham is expected to return having missed Tuesday’s goalless draw at Norwich as a precaution.
As for Swansea, Myles Peart-Harris returned to his parent club Brentford following an injury setback, leaving defender Kristian Pedersen as their only confirmed absentee.
The stats
Sunderland have earned 43 points in 20 Championship home games this season, suffering only one defeat.
The Black Cats have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three league games, last keeping four in a row in the Championship in February 2007.
However, Sunderland have failed to win six of their last 11 league matches and they have conceded in nine of their last 12 at home.
Swansea have won only one of their last nine away league outings, but the Swans have taken seven points from their last three Championship fixtures.
Both teams have scored in only one of Swansea’s last eight league matches.
Prediction
Sunderland are in such a comfortable position that they can soon focus on building towards the play-offs and they are unlikely to go for broke against Swansea, who look keen to impress under interim manager Sheehan.
The Black Cats have a lengthy injury list to contend with as it is, so keeping influential performers healthy is the aim and their levels have dipped in recent months.
Sunderland were held to a goalless draw at Norwich on Tuesday and they have dropped points in four of their last seven matches at the Stadium of Light.
Therefore, it may be worth backing Swansea to avoid defeat. The Welsh outfit produced one of their best performances of the season in beating Plymouth 3-0 in midweek and they did hold title-chasing Leeds to a 2-2 draw in their last away trip.
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