Roker Report Score Predictions: Sunderland v Burton Albion

Two of our panel successfully predicted the draw at Fleetwood with Phil getting the 1-1 draw bang on to claim three points and climb to joint second in our table. Matthew also correctly had a draw but thought there would be more goals and went for a 2-2 so picked up a point to stay within three of our leader Jack.

Jack also picked up a point for making the call that Charlie Wyke would be Sunderland’s first goalscorer to keep a one point cushion at the top, although it’s still tight enough at the bottom that Martin and Matthew could leap to the top of the table with maximum points from Burton.

Let’s find out what our panel go for in this round of predictions...

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Philip Butler predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 2 - 1 Burton Albion

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

I can’t see there being too many changes to the Sunderland side that Phil Parkinson selected in his last game, which means Charlie Wyke is our most likely goal threat.

One thing I do expect to see is that Sunderland’s players play with more freedom as they look to prove they have a part to play in the new manager’s plans - whoever that may be.

This, combined with Burton’s poor league position means I’m backing Sunderland to get back to winning ways ready for a couple of easier games coming up.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Getty Images

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Malcolm Dugdale predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 2 - 0 Burton Albion

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Chris Maguire

Manager bounce is something I’m not sure applies yet, but I am hopeful the Parky shackles being removed will give us an instant lift and a solid home win against Burton.

One of the biggest changes I have observed over the past few weeks has been in Chris Maguire, so I am very hopeful he now wakes up and shows what we have missed. “The King” has been more of a part-time court jester creating very few laughs in recent games, and we need all our players performing at their best to assure promotion.

I’d also like to see the subs heavily involved with variation of both options and tactics. We have youth players who need and deserve a chance, and we should have enough in the squad to try changes in shape enabled by the bench, especially if we need to up our game to take the lead or to grab a second goal to seal it.

This is the start of a new era and if the caretaker tries things, and they don’t quite come off we will have lost nothing. Fill your boots lads. Go for it Sunderland, let’s show Phil what we can do without his senseless constraints, starting against Burton. HAWAY THE LADS!

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Getty Images

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Matthew Foster predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 3 - 1 Burton Albion

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Chris Maguire

After a hugely unsuccessful thirteen-month stint, Parkinson has been handed his P45 and joins the list of Wilkinson, Moyes and Grayson, as managers entirely wrong for the position as manager.

I think you’ll be hard pushed to find anyone not happy about it, and undoubtedly the mood has immediately lifted on Wearside, and I certainly feel more confident going into this game. Andrew Taylor has been given the role of caretaker, and his immediate task is to get maximum points from these next two games.

Burton have been somewhat of a bogey team since we first played them three years ago, with only one victory over the Brewers in those five matches. We don’t need reminding of their first visit to the SoL, a defeat that initially resigned us to third-tier football.

But Burton have had a torrid time so far, with their shock 4-2 victory over Charlton being only their second league win of the season, and ending a run of eleven games without one.

I expect the players will play with more freedom now, and it’s their opportunity to show any incoming manager what they’re capable of. For that reason, I see a strong performance and three points!

Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images

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Jack Howe-Gingell predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 2 - 0 Burton Albion

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

Great news landed at our door yesterday evening, with the departure of Phil Parkinson, but how will that translate to the pitch?

Burton have had a dreadful season so far, finding themselves in the relegation places, conceding the most goals in the division doing it.

They still have some threats in the form of Kane Hemmings and Lucas Akins with ten goals between them in all competitions. The potential for failure is still a possibility, as Charlton found out in Burton’s last game, completely upsetting the form book and smashing accumulators nationwide. That being said, they have been largely poor and Sunderland should be taking advantage of that.

Hopefully the players will get a lift from some of the worst football I’ve ever seen. Caretaker Andrew Taylor has a few decisions to make, and I’m interested to see what that may bring. Aiden McGeady has apparently been added to the squad so could be involved, though will be severely lacking in match fitness.

Overall, despite the celebrations of Parkinson’s removal from office, it’s back to business. The players need to put a good showing in and take the three points.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Getty Images

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Will Jones predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 3 - 0 Burton Albion

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Bailey Wright

If we found it hard to predict because he was on his way out, how are we meant to predict things now he has gone. I’m happy, I’m grateful and I feel like going big on this one.

The team won’t be sad, the constant rumours of discontent in the dressing room between players and manager has been there since the beginning (McGeady being exhibit A) and I feel like it’s a new dawn, whoever is at the helm.

The players should be putting in as shift knowing that their status will be re-evaluated under a new manager and owner, so should be showing why they should start.

I just have a good feeling. I don’t know what it is but I feel Burton is the perfect game, very leaky - especially from set pieces - and the game against Charlton was more than likely the exception not the rule.

It’s looking bright, it’s a new day. Let’s end this drought and get three points on the board again!

Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus

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Martin Wanless predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 3 - 0 Burton Albion

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

This is a tough one to predict, because who knows what caretaker manager Andrew Taylor will do. Will he toe the Parky party line or be his own man? Who can say. I’d love to see him throw the shackles off a little, and give Embleton at least a start.

A change in formation is unlikely – and possibly too risky – at this point; given the news that Parkinson took training on Sunday it’s likely Taylor’s only had one session with the team, so any radical change could be foolish.

Anyway, I’m pinning my hopes on a new manager bounce – well, at least a ‘post-old-manager’ bounce – and a comfortable 3-0 win. Topped off by a goal from McGeady off the bench to seal victory. Wouldn’t that be something?

Regardless, it’s the start of a run of winnable fixtures - and this is one we simply have to win. And I think we will.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images