Roker Report Score Predictions: Lincoln City v Sunderland

We have a new leader at the top of our table - only a few weeks after being rock bottom, Will is now our outright leader. Will picked up three points for correctly predicting the 2-1 victory, as did Malcolm who moved up among our leaders.

The rest of our panel picked up a point for calling out a Sunderland victory so we still have only four points separating top to bottom, so maximum points could see the table turn on its head. It’s a tough one to predict this week as Sunderland travel to high-flying Lincoln. Let’s find out what our panel go for in this round of predictions...

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Philip Butler predicts...

Score Prediction: Lincoln City 1 - 1 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

After wasting recent fixtures against lower opposition by picking up just one point against two of the league’s bottom three sides, it is difficult to predict a win against one of the promotion hopefuls.

Although Lee Johnson has entered the Stadium of Light with a reputation for goals and exciting football, it’s clearly going to take some time to see that in action, so I’m backing the Lads to get another one-all draw as the ghost of Jack Ross continues to swirl around Sunderland AFC.

As for goalscorers, Charlie Wyke’s our top scorer and Johnson talked him up before Tuesday’s game so I think he can make an impact even if it is likely to come off the bench

Photo by Eddie Garvey/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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Malcolm Dugdale predicts...

Score Prediction: Lincoln City 1 - 2 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Will Grigg

After coming from behind to win in the cup game Tuesday I am hopeful that we have just started the first of many win streaks with our new coach. While the win was far from perfect we did what needed to be done and we did it after going a goal down, both of which have not been regular feats since our last win against Ipswich.

Lincoln will be a next level up challenge compared to Oldham, but if we can continue to improve then there is no reason why we can’t take all three this time out.

Lincoln are on a bit of a decent run too winning the last three games, but we often play better against the top sides in the division,

t so hopefully our streak is the one that continues. Haway the lads.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Getty Images

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Matthew Foster predicts...

Score Prediction: Lincoln City 0 - 1 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Will Grigg

Four years ago, Lincoln were plying their trade in the National League, whilst we were still a Premier League team (albeit not a very good one!).

Now they sit eight points and seven places above us, and looking credible contenders for promotion. They’ve been the surprise package so far, and have the best defensive side in the league with only ten goals conceded.

This will be a tough task, and there’s huge pressure on Lee Johnson only three games into his reign to win this. Lose, and the distance between ourselves and second place widens to double figures, which even this early on is a huge deficit to turn around.

I’m pleased we won on Tuesday, it halts this rotten run we’ve been on and hopefully it gives the lads a bit of confidence going in to today’s game.

I’ll take any type of win to be honest. Off the backside of one of our forwards deep in stoppage time, a screamer, I don’t care! Hopefully Grigg gets another chance, and can halt his own barren run and bring back some of the confidence that has ebbed away since signing for the lads.

Photo by Eddie Garvey/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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Jack Howe-Gingell predicts...

Score Prediction: Lincoln City 1 - 2 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Chris Maguire

I’m expecting this to be a tough encounter.

Lincoln have had an excellent season so far, winning ten of their fifteen games and have won their last three in the League. They have also conceded the least and have scored a healthy twenty goals in the process.

Jorge Grant leads their scoring and assists chart, with nine goals and six assists in all competitions, and will be a handful. Lewis Montsma has scored five as well, which is impressive for centre half, so expect them to be handy at set prices.

Other than these two, Harry Anderson and Anthony Scully have caught the eye, with Zack Elbouzedi also showing promise since his move from the League of Ireland. All are pacy and we will need to be wary.

This Lincoln side appear to play with attacking intent and have plenty of pace, which has caused us a lot of problems against other sides.

Sunderland may be wise to bring in Dion Sanderson who should provide some pace and athleticism at right back or centre half. Bailey Wright is in poor form, and appears to be missing a mobile defender to support him.

It’s an early test for Johnson and I hope he can rise to the occasion. My instincts is that we should set up to play on the counter - Jack Diamond should be used to this end, and hopefully can add to his showing against Oldham.

I’ve gone for Chris Maguire to open the scoring for us and a narrow win. Neither is based on form, but I just have a feeling that Johnson will set us up well and we will have enough to sneak it. Lincoln’s attacking prowess should at least get them a goal, but hopefully we have enough to see it through.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Getty Images

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Will Jones predicts...

Score Prediction: Lincoln City 2 - 2 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

We won a game?! Surely not.

New week, new system, a real test for Johnson. I’m not overly positive but I finally have some belief we can take the game to a team and really show our worth. We are on a shite run of form but this starting from scratch may be perfect. We won’t be under or over estimated, people will see us as a grind but winnable.

This is the game to make a statement, however unfortunately I believe it is too soon for our squad to get out of that negative mindset.

Lincoln are a good solid team with a solid plan and are up there this season and arguably the most consistent. I’d be happy as long as we avoid defeat and have spells of quality play to provide something to finally look forward too.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Getty Images

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Martin Wanless predicts...

Score Prediction: Lincoln City 2 - 1 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Aiden McGeady

I’m sorry. I rarely predict us to get beat, and feel disappointed in myself. However, I think Saturday has all of the makings of ‘another lesson learnt’ and a game that ‘illustrates all of the hard work we need to do’.

Tuesday’s game against Oldham offered some hope, however the fact remains we don’t threaten the goal enough – and this is something Johnson has to rectify quickly.

Diamond impressed me in midweek, however, and I really hope we stick with him. He’s a player with a genuinely different skillset, and one we should be making far more use of. He’s not a wingback – he needs the ball in space further up the field – and hopefully this is the ‘start’ of his Sunderland career.

Sincil Bank was the scene of Jack Ross’s demise last year, and while a lot of water’s passed under the bridge since then, I’m fearful of a similar outcome I’m afraid.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Getty Images