Sunderland will aim to end their winless run against Queen's Park Rangers on Saturday (12:30 BST) before embarking on their play-off campaign.
The Black Cats have not won any of their past five league games, losing the most recent four.
It's a concerning run for a side who once led the league at the beginning of the season and now, having spent most it in fourth place, enter the knock-out rounds out of form.
They will hope to find some to carry forward when they host QPR, who will be without boss Marti Cifuentes.