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Have Sunderland cleared the biggest hurdle standing between themselves and survival?

On paper at least, the Black Cats’ home game against Champions League contenders Arsenal looked like the toughest game remaining in the run-in.

But Sam Allardyce’s side kept a clean sheet to take a point against the Gunners, which was enough to lift them above Norwich City and out of the bottom three on goal difference and edge them ahead in the race for Premier League safety.

With 12 points still available to Sunderland and Norwich, no team in the bottom half of the table is mathematically safe - although realistically it is now a three-way battle between Sunderland, Norwich and Newcastle United to finish fourth-bottom.

Between them, those three teams have 11 games to settle the relegation scrap - and here is our guide to the run-in.

Saturday, April 30

Stoke City v Sunderland

After climbing out of the relegation zone at the weekend, Sunderland’s destiny is in their own hands with four games to go.

And they will look at this visit to the Britannia Stadium as a chance to stay clear of their relegation rivals - and heap pressure on them at the same time.

Stoke are safe in midtable and their chances of a Europa League place are all-but over - and Jermain Defoe will be licking his lips at facing a defence that has shipped four goals in each of its last three games.

Newcastle United v Crystal Palace

Alan Pardew’s return to St James’ Park looks like being the key game for Newcastle - assuming their other games go according to form.

The Magpies have belatedly sparked into life under Rafa Benitez and they are back in the survival race after picking up five points from three games in the space of a week, but they must take all three points from their easier of their two remaining home games if they are to stand a realistic chance of survival.

Palace have not won away from home since before Christmas and their terrible form in 2016 means they are not yet mathematically safe - although they will be this weekend if they win on Tyneside and either Sunderland or Norwich drop points.

Reaching the FA Cup final will have lifted the Eagles’ morale, however.

Arsenal v Norwich City (5.30pm)

The heat is on for Norwich after they slipped into the relegation zone at the weekend - and if Sunderland and/or Newcastle pick up points this weekend, the pressure will be on the Canaries in the evening kick-off.

Norwich buckled when Sunderland visited Carrow Road, and they will be in for a tough afternoon at the Emirates against an Arsenal side still in of points to clinch a top four finish.

Saturday, May 7

Norwich City v Manchester United (12.45pm)

After having to watch and wait the previous week, this is the Canaries’ chance to steal a march on their rivals.

Sunderland and Newcastle will be twitchy if Alex Neil’s team pull off a shock win against the Red Devils in the lunchtime kick-off at Carrow Road.

Manchester United are far from infallible, but they will see this as a game they must win if they are to keep alive their chances of playing Champions League football next season.

Sunderland v Chelsea

This is Sunderland’s toughest remaining fixture, but this season nothing has been a foregone conclusion where Chelsea are concerned.

Chelsea will be favourites but Sunderland demonstrated against Arsenal that they are more than capable of keeping a clean sheet against one of the top teams - and, for all their superstars, Chelsea are currently playing like a midtable team.

Aston Villa v Newcastle United

This one should be an away banker for the Magpies. Villa have plumbed the depths this season, threw in the towel months ago, and even since their relegation has been mathematically confirmed they have failed to show any sign that they will go down fighting.

The Villa fans celebrated as Newcastle were relegated at Villa Park in 2009, and it will be payback time!

Wednesday, May 11

Sunderland v Everton (7.45pm)

This is the game which was rearranged due to Everton’s FA Cup involvement in March, and it is Sunderland’s game in hand over Newcastle.

For the last three seasons, Sunderland have avoided taking their relegation battle to the final day of the season - can they do so again?

Everton are safe in midtable with nothing to play for, which could play into Sunderland’s hands in their final home game.

Norwich City v Watford (7.45pm)

Postponed last weekend due to Watford’s FA Cup semi-final appearance, this is Norwich’s game in hand of Newcastle.

On paper, it is the most winnable fixture remaining in the Canaries’ run-in and it is their final home game.

Watford are also secure in midtable with nothing to play for, and may well have their flip-flops on already.

Sunday, May 15

Watford v Sunderland

No-one wants the survival battle to go down to the final day but if that is how it pans out, the fixtures have fallen kindly for Sunderland.

Watford are safe already with nothing to play for, and they haven’t won at home since they beat Newcastle in January.

Sunderland will feel they are capable of winning at Vicarage Road, if needs be.

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur

Much depends on what happens in the title race between now and the end of the season.

If Leicester have already won the Premier League, Spurs may be deflated. But if there is still a chance of Spurs lifting the trophy, they will arrive at St James’ Park with all guns blazing.

Either way, a game against Harry Kane, Delle Alli and Co is always a tricky proposition - and if Newcastle need to win, Spurs have the pace to exploit the Magpies’ defensive vulnerabilities.

Everton v Norwich City

The Canaries’ final two games are the mirror image of those of Sunderland, which means they finish with a trip to Goodison Park.

Everton are traditionally strong at home, but this season they have been poor on their own patch and that will give Norwich hope.

A question mark hangs over Roberto Martinez’s job, and this could be his last chance to make a case for staying on beyond the end of the season.