Sunderland have recently embarked on a mini-revival under the guidance of Sam Allardyce. Two wins and two clean sheets in two games have seen the Black Cats move out of the relegation zone. However, a tough December awaits and the two previous victories could prove to be very important come the end of the season.
Sunderland face teams that will undoubtedly be battling in and around the top four places come the end of the season and also a team that was promoted from the Championship last season but are surprising many. If they can come out of the following fixtures unscathed and with confidence intact then a good second half of the season could be on the cards.
Saturday 5th December — Arsenal at The Emirates Stadium
Last season Sunderland travelled to Arsenal needing just a point to avoid relegation. On an emotional night that will long live in the memories of those connected with Sunderland, they got the point they required. This time, thankfully for their supporters, they can relax a little more knowing that even if defeated, there are many more games to go.
Sunderland can take encouragement from some of Arsenal’s recent displays and results. Last time out, The Gunners could only manage a draw against Norwich City and the league game before that they lost at West Bromwich Albion. They have also been defeated by West Ham United in the league and by Sheffield Wednesday, Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos in cup competitions, showing that they can struggle against teams that they should be beating.
Sunderland do not have the best record away to Arsenal. Since being promoted back into the Premier League in 2007, they have failed to win, losing four and drawing four, with each draw being 0-0. The last victory for the Black Cats in this part of North London was back in November 2002 when they won 2-3 in the League Cup. Their last league victory was 32 years ago in November 1983 — Sunderland ran out 2-1 winners at Highbury in the old First Division.
Sunderland will be without Jermain Defoe and Seb Larsson while Arsenal have various injury problems at present. Alexis Sanchez, Laurent Koscielny and Santi Cazorla picked up injuries against Norwich, joinining the likes of Danny Wellbeck, Tomas Rosicky, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere on the treatment table.
Saturday 12th December — Watford at The Stadium of Light
Watford are currently the form team out of those that were promoted last season from the Championship. At the time of writing they are sitting comfortably in mid table and have a similar recent record as Sunderland with three wins in their last six games.
This will be the first time since 2005 that the teams have faced each other and previous results are encouraging for Sunderland. Watford have never beaten Sunderland in a top flight game at the Stadium of Light or at the Black Cats’ previous home, Roker Park. Watford have won just three times on Wearside, twice in the Championship/League Division 1 and once in the FA Cup.
Sunderland will have to be very wary of their opposition though as they currently have a better record away from home with three wins and two draws from seven games. Sunderland will also have to keep a close eye on Watford’s two in-form strikers, Odion Ighalo and captain Troy Deeney. Both netted during their last away game at Aston Villa. Watford manger Quique Sanchez Flores had this to say about his strike partnership: “It’s important that they score, and it’s important that they play well, but it’s very important how they fight for the system. We are often defending with 11 players because Deeney and Ighalo are always ready to help the rest of the players.” (via skysports.com)
Saturday 19th December — Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
In the last game before Christmas Sunderland travel to a ground where they have had some joy over the years such as a 2-1 victory in April 2014, a 3-0 thrashing in 2010 and a 4-2 thriller back in 2001. Unfortunately this is as good as it gets as Sunderland’s games against Chelsea usually end in defeat.
Chelsea have by no means been at their best this season, far from it. At home they have lost to Crystal Palace, Southampton and Liverpool and drew against Swansea. At the back they have looked average and their attacking threat has been nowhere near the level it has been in previous seasons. Can Sunderland take advantage? If they play to their best there’s no reason why they can’t. They only have to look at the other teams who have taken results from Stamford Bridge.
An early Christmas present could be on the cards for Sunderland but take Chelsea lightly and they are still good enough to punish you. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is confident December will be the month his team start to climb the table: “I think we can look to December with enthusiasm. I’m convinced at the end of December we’ll be in a different position to where we are now and we will shorten clearly the distance to the top teams.” (via skysports.com)
Saturday 26th December — Manchester City at The Etihad
One thing is for certain: when Sunderland play at the Etihad Stadium, goals are guaranteed. In the last six meetings 30 goals have been scored with Sunderland scoring ten of those. Unfortunately for Sunderland fans, few points have been picked up in recent seasons. Their last victory away at City came back in 1998 when they won 1-0, Kevin Phillips scoring the only goal.
Sunderland can take heart from the fact that they haven’t had it all their own way so far this season. Defeats at home to Liverpool and West Ham United as well as failing to score against bottom side Aston Villa shows this. Sunderland will also want to avenge their defeat in the League Cup early this season where City cruised to a 4-1 victory at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland are a different opposition now that Sam Allardyce is in charge and with the Sunderland defence beginning to tighten up of late, City should not expect to have an easy time of things on Boxing Day.
Wednesday 30th December — Liverpool at The Stadium of Light
Liverpool are still in the honeymoon period with new manager Jurgen Klopp. They have produce fantastic results such as thumping wins away to Chelsea, Manchester City and Southampton. With games against the likes of Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion coming up, this period could last for some time yet.
Since returning to the Premier League in 2007, Sunderland have not had the best of times on Wearside against the men from Merseyside. They have played eight times but have lost five of those, drawing one and winning two. One of those wins, however, included the famous “beach ball” incident that both supporters will never forget.
There is every chance that Liverpool will come into this game full of confidence but on a cold and possibly wet night on Wearside and with Sunderland having the backing of a full stadium, anything is possible.
Speaking about the upcoming games Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce said: “We will go into the big games as the underdogs and tell the lads to enjoy themselves because nobody expects you to get a result. Hopefully we can shock one or two because the lads have enough confidence in their ability to play any team at any time.You can beat them if you’re on song and you take full advantage of what you create, so let’s hope that is the case.” (via safc.com)
Confidence has been building of late and if they can take that confidence, and the belief that they have also gained then there are points to be had for Sam Allardyce’s Black Cats. If Sunderland are still outside of the relegation places come full-time against Liverpool then it will have to said that a successful December has been had.
