Sunderland know they must win at Preston North End and other results must go their way if they want to secure their place in the Championship top-six. Tony Mowbray and his side have done a fantastic job to even be in contention for the play-offs having won promotion from League One last season.
The Wearsiders have needed almost a complete rebuild under new owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, but his side have defied the odds to even be in contention. The loss of Ellis Simms and injury to Ross Stewart has seen the Black Cats play most of the season without a focal point up front, with Leeds United loanee Joe Gelhardt doing well to shoulder that burden.
A win over Preston and favours from elsewhere would see the Wearsiders continue their impressive rise up the Football League with Premier League football the long-term aim. The Black Cats have enjoyed some memorable finals days of the season, while others are memorable for all the wrong reasons.
READ MORE: Sunderland's route to securing a play-off place on the final day explained
Chronicle Live has taken a look back at some of the final days of the season and some inspiration for Sunderland to channel.
2021/22 - Morecambe
There's perhaps no better place to start than 12 months ago. The Black Cats went into the last day of last season knowing they had to at least match the result of either Portsmouth or Wycombe to be certain of a top six finish in League One, and their win at Morecambe meant they reached the play-offs under their own steam.
Nathan Broadhead's strike after ten minutes was the only goal of the game in a nervy affair, which acted as a springboard for promotion. Alex Neil's side had not tasted defeat since mid-February and would go on to return to the Championship.
2017/18 - Wolves
The less said about the 2017/18 campaign as a whole, the better. Sunderland were already relegated having failed to beat Fulham in the penultimate game of the season.
Burton Albion and Barnsley both won that day to condemn the Black Cats to what would be a miserable tenure in the third tier of English football. Despite the understandable blues following their back-to-back relegation, Sunderland would win the final game of the season.
The Wearsiders won 3-0 against league winners Wolves. Goals from Ovie Ejaria, Ashley Fletcher and Paddy McNair ensuring the season ended on a positive note, albeit the start of a nightmare.
2015/16 - Watford
A 2-2 draw with Watford doesn't seem like there's much to shout about, but it was a result that made their Premier League survival that little bit sweeter. The Black Cats had beaten Everton the week prior in a result that had huge knock on effects for the North East as a football region.
Newcastle's draw with Aston Villa meant the Black Cats had effectively relegated their arch rivals. A first-half strike from Jack Rodwell gave Sunderland the lead with Sebastian Prodl pulling one back for the hosts.
Jermaine Lens gave Sam Allardyce's side the lead again only for a Troy Deeney penalty to ensure a share of the spoils.
2013/14 - Swansea City
Another season, another great escape from the Black Cats. Sunderland had secured their Premier League status for another season heading into the clash at the Liberty Stadium, but this game should act as a warning to the current crop of red and white players.
The Black Cats won four games out of their last five heading into the tie, having drawn with Manchester City and gone on to beat Chelsea, Cardiff City, Manchester United and West Brom. The Red and White Army had been treat to some brilliant football in the build-up to the final day of the season, but with nothing riding on the game, the Black Cats took their foot off the pedal.
Mowbray won't let his side fall into thinking the job is done with a win over Preston this weekend, they know results must go their way elsewhere.
2006/07 - Luton Town
It would be remiss not to mention Roy Keane's Championship winning side when talking about memorable final days of the season. The Black Cats were underdogs heading into the tie with Birmingham needing a win at Preston to confirm their status as Champions, only to be held 1-0 at Deepdale.
Keane's side ran riot in a 5-0 win on the road at Luton to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. The Lilywhites did the Black Cats a favour that day and they could certainly do with the same token gesture when they play this weekend, no matter how wishful thinking that may be.
READ NEXT
- Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray sets out possible return date for Dan Ballard
- Tony Mowbray on how Sunderland's youthful squad have 're-energised an old guy'
- Ambition the issue at Sunderland's last-day opponents Preston, says Lillywhites boss Ryan Lowe
- Sunderland must repeat last season's final day heroics to reach play-offs, says Patrick Roberts
- Sunderland's thrilling comeback against Watford keeps play-off dream alive to the very last day
