Martin O'Neill is being tipped to become the next boss of Premier League strugglers Sunderland after engaging in advanced talks with the club.
O'Neill has become the favourite for the job after Steve Bruce's dismissal on Wednesday night.
The former Aston Villa and Celtic boss has agreed in principle to take the job, according to BBC Sport.
Sunderland are currently two points off the relegation zone in 16th place.
An official club announcement is expected today.
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| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Leeds UnitedLeeds | 38 | 23 | 11 | 4 | 76 | 25 | 51 | 80 |
| 2 | Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd | 38 | 25 | 7 | 6 | 53 | 28 | 25 | 80 |
| 3 | Burnley | 38 | 21 | 15 | 2 | 52 | 11 | 41 | 78 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 38 | 19 | 12 | 7 | 55 | 37 | 18 | 69 |
| 5 | Coventry CityCoventry | 38 | 17 | 8 | 13 | 55 | 48 | 7 | 59 |
| 6 | West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom | 38 | 13 | 18 | 7 | 48 | 34 | 14 | 57 |
| 7 | Bristol City | 38 | 14 | 15 | 9 | 49 | 41 | 8 | 57 |
| 8 | Middlesbrough | 38 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 57 | 48 | 9 | 54 |
| 9 | Blackburn RoversBlackburn | 38 | 15 | 7 | 16 | 42 | 40 | 2 | 52 |
| 10 | Watford | 38 | 15 | 7 | 16 | 47 | 51 | -4 | 52 |
| 11 | Millwall | 38 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 37 | 39 | -2 | 51 |
| 12 | Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds | 38 | 14 | 9 | 15 | 53 | 59 | -6 | 51 |
| 13 | Norwich CityNorwich | 38 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 60 | 54 | 6 | 49 |
| 14 | Preston North EndPreston | 38 | 10 | 17 | 11 | 39 | 44 | -5 | 47 |
| 15 | Queens Park RangersQPR | 38 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 44 | 50 | -6 | 45 |
| 16 | Swansea CitySwansea | 38 | 12 | 8 | 18 | 38 | 49 | -11 | 44 |
| 17 | Portsmouth | 38 | 11 | 9 | 18 | 46 | 61 | -15 | 42 |
| 18 | Oxford UnitedOxford Utd | 38 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 39 | 55 | -16 | 42 |
| 19 | Hull City | 38 | 10 | 11 | 17 | 39 | 47 | -8 | 41 |
| 20 | Stoke CityStoke | 38 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 37 | 51 | -14 | 39 |
| 21 | Cardiff CityCardiff | 38 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 42 | 62 | -20 | 39 |
| 22 | Derby CountyDerby | 38 | 10 | 8 | 20 | 40 | 51 | -11 | 38 |
| 23 | Luton TownLuton | 38 | 9 | 8 | 21 | 34 | 60 | -26 | 35 |
| 24 | Plymouth ArgylePlymouth | 38 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 40 | 77 | -37 | 33 |
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