Sunderland face both Hull and Birmingham in January – just how important will this month be to their survival hopes?
It was not a happy start to 2018 for Sunderland, who carried their miserable home record from 2017 into the new year with a 1-0 defeat to Barnsley at the Stadium of Light.
It was a result that allowed Burton Albion to leapfrog the Black Cats and leave them second from bottom in the Championship with 20 league matches left to play.
Chris Coleman, manager of Sunderland, reacts during the Sky Bet Championship match against Reading.
During the nine games since Chris Coleman took charge as manager the North East outfit have shown signs of improvement, with three victories and a point away at runaway leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Yet still Coleman’s side remain in the relegation zone and if they are to get out of trouble then the rest of January could be a very important month for them.
First up is an FA Cup third round clash with Middlesbrough on Saturday (January 6) and although a cup run would be nice, in truth an exit from the competition would not be disastrous.
Sunderland fans look on as players warm up ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match against Derby County.
The following weekend it is the daunting task of a trip to one of the division’s surprise packages in Cardiff City, yet with the Bluebirds having lost their last four league outings this could be the perfect time to play them.
After that Hull City visit Wearside and then Coleman takes his team to Birmingham City, two sides who sit in 21st and 24th place respectively at the moment.
Positive results against these two opponents during a month in which Sunderland have a seven-day break between all of their fixtures could just help define their season.
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