Sunderland's home meeting with Sheffield Wednesday on Friday is "huge" in terms of their promotion hopes, according to former Black Cats striker Martin Smith.
They have lost their past two Championship matches to slip eight points behind the automatic promotion places and face a Wednesday side still harbouring serious play-off hopes.
"Friday is huge because are you looking at the top of the table or what's coming behind you?" Smith told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"If you go and win Friday you're still looking at that top two and things can change massively if the results go your way on Saturday.