The Capital One Cup, of course, is one of three competitions in which Sunderland are still engaged and while that and the FA Cup could yet bring glory, it is the meat and drink of Barclays Premier League action which most concerns Gus Poyet.
His side have slipped back into the relegation zone and still have a desperate fight for survival on their hands.
Nevertheless, the Black Cats will travel this weekend with nothing other than victory on their minds.
Poyet said: "I don't know if you can plan better for a final than playing away at the Emirates a week before playing Manchester City at Wembley.
"It's a perfect 'friendly'. It's not a friendly, it's three points, but it's perfection for us, so it's going to give us a big opportunity to see if we can really go and play in a certain way against Manchester City as well."
Pld Pts
16 Norwich City 26 25
17 West Bromwich Albion 26 24
18 Sunderland 25 24
19 Cardiff City 26 22
20 Fulham 26 20