Black Cats preparing for the play-offs while Northampton say farewell to League One

Last weekend was significant for both of these sides as Sunderland secured their place in the play-offs with a 3-1 win at Plymouth Argyle, while Northampton Town’s 3-0 defeat to Blackpool condemned them to relegation.

Both teams will be looking to end the regular season on a high, Sunderland to go into the play-offs with momentum having been seven without a win before last weekend, Northampton meanwhile will want to save face after their immediate return to League Two was confirmed.

Sunderland head into the final day of the season in fourth place, knowing there are still five potential play-off opponents for them. Blackpool and Lincoln City have both confirmed their play-off places already, with Portsmouth, Oxford United and Charlton Athletic fighting it out for the final spot.

Whichever side finishes third, currently occupied by Blackpool, will face sixth in the play-offs, with fourth and fifth facing each other, meaning as it stands Sunderland would be facing Lincoln, but a lot can change on the final day.

Whichever sides finish fifth and sixth play at home in their first leg, something that benefitted Sunderland back in 2018/19 as they beat Portsmouth 1-0 at the Stadium of Light before grinding out a 0-0 at Fratton Park in the second leg.

Despite this, it is generally considered an advantage to be at home in the second leg, Sunderland’s away form has been better than their home form this season – so it well mean thus for Lee Johnson’s side.

Having confirmed their spot going into the final day, another option would be to rotate the squad and give the squad more time to recover and prepare for the play-offs after what has been a gruelling season, but with the number of players the Black Cats have injured this might not be an option they take.

At Bristol City Johnson was criticised for his sides being streaky, going on long runs without a defeat followed by long runs without a win. That looks to have followed him to Wearside so far, although having won last time out this would be a good time for a winning streak to take off.

Northampton Town boss Jon Brady has already spoken about the game saying he wants his side to put down a marker for next season, suggesting he will play as strong a line up as he can despite their fate already being sealed.

Northampton cannot finish any lower than 22nd, being four points clear of Swindon Town with just one game to go, but they could overtake Rochdale on the final day if they better Dale’s result.

Both sides are on 44 points with Rochdale having a better goal difference. If Northampton can beat Sunderland and Rochdale fail to beat MK Dons, then the Cobblers could finish just one point behind Wigan Athletic in 20th, should they lose to Swindon.

The sides last met back in January, with the game at Sixfields finishing goalless. But meetings between these two sides are rare. The meeting prior was September 2008, where Sunderland came from two goals down late on to draw 2-2 before winning on penalties.

For the last time Sunderland beat Northampton over 90 minutes you would have to go as far back as May 1988, and the last time Northampton beat Sunderland was back in April 1966.

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