Sunderland may not be favourites this weekend, but that can no longer be an excuse as their relegation battle drags on.
Sunderland welcome Fulham on Saturday knowing that failure to win would mean they pass a year without a home victory.
And Chris Coleman’s side certainly will not have it all their own way against a talented visiting outfit who have regularly enjoyed themselves on their travels.
Indeed, since Sunderland saw off Watford at the Stadium of Light last December, Fulham have seen off 14 opponents away from home – including the scalps of Newcastle United, Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United.
Therefore it is perhaps no surprise that Fulham are favourites to take all three points this weekend.
But such has been Sunderland’s plight this term that they must now start to win matches in which they are given little chance of succeeding.
With 25 games remaining this season, the Black Cats must make up 36 points to the tally of 51 that Nottingham Forest required to scrape to survival last term.
And so there are not enough fixtures left against relegation rivals for Sunderland to write off games such as this one on Saturday.
It will not be easy for Coleman’s men, but their revival must start soon if they are to stay up – and ending a wretched home run would be a good way to kick it off.
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