TRAI Hume believes the pressure is all on Leeds United, Sheffield United and Burnley rather than Sunderland in the automatic promotion race.
The Black Cats are fourth, six points behind Burnley, seven behind Leeds, who play Millwall tonight, and eight adrift of current leaders Sheffield United.
Both the Blades and the Clarets slipped up on Tuesday night and had to settle for home draws against Bristol City and West Brom, but Sunderland couldn't take advantage and only picked up a point against Preston.
The Black Cats are very much the outsiders in the battle for automatic promotion and it would take a superb run of form - and more slip-ups above - for them to get back in the top two mix.
But with a 15-point buffer on seventh place, a top six finish looks nailed on for Regis Le Bris' side, who have exceeded expectations this season. And Hume says the Black Cats have nothing to lose in the remaining nine games.
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"It will be tough to catch them but we have to keep taking it game by game and keep winning," said the Northern Ireland international.
"The pressure is on them is to keep winning. If they do lose we have to keep winning to get closer.
"Until mathematically we're out of it of course we still believe, but the pressure is on them."
Hume admits there was frustration in the Sunderland dressing room when the players learnt of Sheffield United and Burnley's slip-ups.
He said: "It is frustrating when you see that but it could have been worse and they both could have won.
"You have to think of it as a positive but we are frustrated we didn't get the three points."
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder and Burnley first team coach Mike Jackson both insisted they were satisfied despite dropping points in midweek.
Sheffield United conceded in stoppage time to Bristol City and are now preparing for Sunday's Steel City derby against Sheffield Wednesday.
Wilder said: "It might be an important point, it keeps us ticking along. It's not what we wanted but it's another point.
"We have to suck it up, take our medicine and move on to Sunday.”
Burnley, meanwhile, recovered from falling behind to Tony Mowbray's West Brom to draw 1-1 with the Baggies.
Jackson said: "I wouldn't say it's frustrating, I think it's a little bit disappointing because obviously you want to win all your home games and where we are at at this moment in time...
"I think on the whole it's a good point for us, but we look to move on.”
