Ten To Go

By: Lucas | March 9th, 2008

Sunderland’s season now has ten games remaining; ten games to get the results necessary to ensure their EPL survival. Last week’s hugely disappointing draw at Derby represented probably our last best chance to win on the road, and SAFC were able to manage approximately jack shit against the league’s worst team (possibly in the league’s history). From here the home schedule gets vastly more difficult, making it that much more vital for Sunderland to get something - anything - on the road.

Here’s how I see the rest of the campaign playing out, beginning today, when the Black Cats welcome Everton to the Stadium of Light:

Everton (H): In a season which has featured plenty of ass kickings for the Mackems, it was the Toffees who gave us our worst: 7-1 at Goodison in November. Everton is playing some very good football right now, though they did just lose a UEFA Cup[1] game in midweek. Sunderland’s home form is good (only the boxing day loss to Man Utd since September), but it will be a big challenge to get a result against Everton. Prediction: SAFC 1:2 Everton

Chelsea (H): Despite their improbable and hilarious exit from the FA Cup yesterday, Chelsea is an elite team with world class stars. I suppose anything can happen, and a team fighting for survival often puts out a better performance than one with nothing to play for (winning the league is a very slim possibility for the Blues right now). Sunderland were beaten at Stamford Bridge in December 2-0, in a game wherein Liam Miller saw red for shoving Claudio Pizarro in the face (not hard enough). Prediction: SAFC 0:0 Chelsea

Aston Villa (A): Sunderland were robbed of 3 points the last time the Villains visited the SOL back in December, when Danny Collins had a goal disallowed very late on. Martin O’Neill’s side are still alive in the hunt for Europe next season, and they will see this as a must win match. I see it as a very tall order for Sunderland to get out of Villa Park with any points. Prediction: Aston Villa 2:0 SAFC

West Ham (H): Sunderland lost 3-1 at Upton Park in October, in a game that was closer than the scoreline. Kenwyne Jones’ 2nd half equalizer had the visiting Mackems keyed up and looking for more, then Craig Gordon’s unlucky own goal precipitated a late sealer by Craig Bellamy the fuck. The Hammers are right now smack in the middle of the table, free of relegation fears and European hopes alike. I doubt their position will have changed much in three weeks, meaning they won’t have much to play for. Prediction: SAFC 2:1 West Ham

Fulham (A): “Team America” are struggling for their lives and scrapping for every point they can. They’ve just had Jimmy Bullard and Brian McBride return from long injuries, and seem to have a little of the momentum they need to get them to safety. Kenwyne’s late equalizer salvaged a point when Fulham came to Sunderland in October; against teams close to us in the standings, though, you’ve got to think that a home draw is two points dropped rather than one saved. A winnable road game, Sunderland must get at least another draw here. Prediction: Fulham 0:0 SAFC

Man City (H): Sven’s Men have slipped in form recently, with only 1 point from 9 since their derby day victory at Old Trafford. Sunderland lost 0-1 at Eastlands in November, in a workmanlike (read: uninspired) performance. Prediction: SAFC 2:2 City

mags (A): Probably our most winnable and most important road game left. Newcastle stole a point at SOL in November with a sloppy Milner goal, in a game in which Sunderland were easily the better side. A Wear-Tyne win here would be huge on so many levels. Prediction: mags 0:2 SAFC

Middlesbrough (H): Sunderland earned an entertaining 2-2 draw away to Boro in September with Liam Miller delivering the equalizer late on (Liam Miller was recently cut from the team for tardiness issues (!), but could return for today’s match vs Everton). The Teesiders are one of a huge clump of teams trying to stay out of danger and this could be a very intense derby day affair. Prediction: SAFC 2:1 Boro

Bolton (A): Bolton have been awful this season, and were thrashed 3-1 in their visit to SOL during the Christmas period. Another team fighting relegation, this game could be a classic battle, or it could be another 0-0 yawnfest between two shit teams. Prediction: Bolton 1:1 SAFC

Arsenal (H): The season finale sees the mighty and arrogant Gunners come to the Stadium of Light, possibly needing a result to sew up their league title. Let’s just hope Sunderland don’t need a result to stay up. Prediction: SAFC 1:3 Arse

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If those predictions pan out it will mean a lucky 13 points, bringing our season total right to the magical 40 point plateau. I might be getting a little optimistic with some of those games (cut me some slack, it’s early, I just got my first sips of coffee in me and am currently watching Lazio vs Livorno, dear god), but I do think Sunderland are better than the 27 points where they currently sit.

There have been late joy and late heartbreak this season aplenty, and no reason to think that won’t continue. I hate to quote a daffy SAF phrase, but starting in about 5 minutes when the game kicks off vs Everton, the season will have entered “squeaky bum time.”

[1] This is I believe the only time I have written the words “UEFA” and “Cup” together in this blog.