Roker Report Score Predictions: Sunderland v AFC Wimbledon

We now have three sharing the top of the table where Will, Jack and Malcolm all find themselves on sixteen points, two clear of Phil who missed out on taking advantage by only backing Sunderland to claim a draw at Lincoln City.

At the other end of the table, Matthew picked up a point to shuffle ahead of Martin who finds himself alone at the bottom of the table – but only four points from top spot. Let’s find out what our panel predict as AFC Wimbledon are the visitors to the Stadium of Light.

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Philip Butler predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 2 - 0 AFC Wimbledon

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Aiden McGeady

Well, doesn’t it feel good to be looking forward to the next game? The League One fixture list shows no signs of easing in terms of congestion and that can be great for building momentum, as Lee Johnson’s side looks to put a string of wins together and get in those top two places.

Wimbledon are certainly a weaker opponent on paper than Saturday’s defeated foe Lincoln City, but this also means it’s a lot less likely that Sunderland will find the space they did at Sincil Bank.

I still think we have enough to win fairly comfortably, however, even if an Aiden McGeady long shot might be required to open the game up.

Photo by Andrew Vaughan - CameraSport via Getty Images

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Malcolm Dugdale predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 3 - 0 AFC Wimbledon

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Grant Leadbitter

If the team that turned out at Sincil Bank jogs back out against Wimbledon at the SOL and pick up where they left off, this should be a formality. The issue is, with a loss to Wigan (granted several hours into his tenure) and two very different wins for Johnson, now comes the time to see if the euphoria from Saturday is the regular way forward, or a one-off.

I can’t see the keeper or defence changing after such a great clean sheet last time out, but the jury is out for me on how much Johnson will vary the midfield and forwards.

In the midfield, Scowen took a knock versus the Imps and may be forced out, and with him being arguably the lesser of a strong midfield, that may add to our attacking options with Dobson possibly deputising, which may result in Power pushing further forward. Alternatively, Maguire or Embleton could make the XI to take Scowen’s place.

Up front, it is an interesting challenge for the coach, as Wyke, Diamond and McGeady put on a real show away at Lincoln. That said, we cannot be a one-trick pony to go up in the automatic promotion places. We need Grigg, Graham and even O’Brien to start scoring to assure our season-long success should Charlie need a spell out.

The main requirement is a win, but if we can play as we did away last Saturday then the red and white wagon will very much be back on the tracks and steaming ahead.

For the record Lee, if you score four or five and I don’t get this prediction right, you are forgiven.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Matthew Foster predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 2 - 0 AFC Wimbledon

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Jack Diamond

What a performance that was on Saturday! It’s one that few saw coming against the second-placed side with an impressive defensive record.

It’s by far the best performance I’ve seen from Sunderland for quite some time and a result that sets the tone for how Johnson wants to move forward.

Tonight we come up against AFC Wimbledon, a side for whom I have only respect for, since their rise from the ashes of the old Wimbledon. They’re more than likely going to spend most of the season scrapping for results to maintain their League One status, having finished their last two seasons dangerously close to the trap door.

They’ve found themselves in winning positions in their last two matches, but capitulated and lost 4-2 and 5-2 to Bristol Rovers and Charlton respectively.

Confidence will be sky high in the Sunderland camp but, while all the signs suggest we’ll blow away the Dons, we need to be wary of a side that have a forward in Joe Pigott who has regularly found the net so far this season.

Nevertheless, I’m going for a third straight win for Lee Johnson’s red and white army, and Diamond to sparkle again!

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Jack Howe-Gingell predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 3 - 1 AFC Wimbledon

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

After a morale-boosting smashing of Lincoln City, we have another game in quick succession to keep moving in the right direction.

Wimbledon have been steady this season are sitting in mid-table. They only have one win in their last four, though that was over Peterborough so we will need to be careful.

Joe Pigott remains the danger man for Wimbledon, much as he has done in recent seasons. He is the second top scorer in the league, and this reflects in Wimbledon’s goalscoring exploits this season. 22 goals in the League, though 26 conceded shows they are leaky.

Our lads should be full to the brim with confidence after a really assured display last time out. I’m excited to see Diamond again, and the Lincoln game was the most enjoyable match I’ve watched for some time – more of the same here, please.

I’ve gone Big Chaz to open the scoring after his confident brace last week, and a generally excellent display leading the line. Mad what a bit of support and supply does for a striker. Pigott’s threat might lead to a consolation for the visitors, but I’m predicting another comfortable day at the office.

Photo by Andrew Vaughan - CameraSport via Getty Images

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Will Jones predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 3 - 0 AFC Wimbledon

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Aiden McGeady

The lads are back! Quickfire win and back home we go! This is what we wanted to see! Let’s set this as a standard, lads.

Nobody looked out of place, many of those lads have been attacked for being lazy or untrustworthy on and off the ball this season but on Saturday everyone did their bit.

I want to see this more moving forward, a calmness and yet a precision. Deadly SAFC, that’s all we want.

Clean sheets are hard to come by at the top but we did it after a slow start, too. And now we are up against a team looking closer toward the drop. This is a game we should definitely win against a side that has dropped 19 points from winning positions.

If we are clinical we have nothing to worry about, and with more players returning. Lee Johnson will have a problem choosing his matchday squad.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Martin Wanless predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 5 - 1 AFC Wimbledon

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Jack Diamond

I didn’t see Saturday’s result coming at all, but what a nice surprise it was. It was brilliant to see a Sunderland side play with intent, and hopefully, that will continue tonight against the ‘real’ Wimbledon.

It’s going to be a bit of an acid test for Johnson, the team, and our season though. Was Saturday a flash in the pan, or can we continue in a similar vein against a side that will likely take a very different approach to the game than Lincoln did on Saturday?

After predicting a defeat to Lincoln on Saturday, I’m doing a complete 180 on the evidence at Sincil Bank, and going for a comfortable victory for Lee Johnson in his first ‘real’ home game. 5-1.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images