Roker Report Score Predictions: Sunderland AFC v Hull City

So not only will our panel be predicting the final score, where they will receive 3 points for a correct score and a point for a correct outcome, but they will also receive a bonus point if they predict Sunderland’s first goalscorer of the game.

They will also lose a point if they miss a week of predicting of course! Who will come out on top at the end of the season and don’t forget to let us know your thoughts on what you predict!

First up, it’s Hull City at the Stadium of Light in the Carabao Cup...

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Philip Butler predicts...

Scoreline: Sunderland 1 - 0 Hull City

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Chris Maguire

Although officially Saturday’s game is a competitive fixture, in practice it is likely to be the penultimate game of pre-season before the League season kicks off. That being said, I do think Parkinson will play a strong side since it will be a good test against fellow League One promotion rivals.

I fancy that, like many pre-season games, there won’t be an abundance of goals, and since I’m unsure of whether Grigg or Wyke will start; I’ve tipped Sunderland’s main difference maker Chris Maguire to get the only goal of the game.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Will Jones predicts...

Scoreline: Sunderland 2 - 1 Hull City

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

Both teams will be looking at this as a warm-up, to feel each other out and see where they are at. Both are big teams in this league and should be looking to play without fear, with a slight edge to the competitiveness.

I believe both will start with first-team squads, however having not seen Hull play any pre-season games you can presume they have behind closed doors, it’s hard to say what they are going to come out with.

It is a game that all SAFC fans are going to be looking forward to, but one that probably will not last long in the memory. I am predicting a cagey affair with Sunderland just nicking it.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Malcolm Dugdale predicts...

Scoreline: Sunderland 2 - 1 Hull City

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Will Grigg

As the lads have only managed one shut out in the previous three pre-season games, and they were all against lower opponents than Hull, I feel it likely we will concede.

It seems that Hull haven’t played much pre-season at all, so hopefully our squad will prevail in what will be another pre-season run out disguised as a cup outing.

I’ve picked Grigg to score first as I am hoping he is given another chance to form bonds with Embleton (if he’s fit) and Neil, with more of those through balls we were missing so much last season.

This isn’t a game we need to win, so I doubt Parky will go super strong from the off, but it is a game we need to use to move the jigsaw parts closer together, as the bigger shapes need to start joining up so we can prevail in League One, which is the absolute priority.

Photo by Steven Hadlow/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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Jack Howe-Gingell predicts...

Scoreline: Sunderland 2 - 1 Hull City

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Lynden Gooch

I’m expecting a fairly tight game in this one. Hull appear to have recruited well for this level, and have retained a lot of their players since relegation.

That said, we know that is not a guarantee of success after our own drop to League One, plus Hull were abject after losing Bowen and Grosicki last season - far worse than the other relegated sides.

I’d say our own signings have been solid, but more are needed. This will be a good test to see where we are, particularly if we have serious promotion ambitions, as I’d expect Hull to be up there.

In some ways, this is a bit of free shot for Parkinson. No real damage if we were to lose, but either way, there will be plenty to digest.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Martin Wanless predicts...

Scoreline: Sunderland 1 - 0 Hull City

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Josh Scowen

While this is technically our first competitive game of the season, the reality is that it’s another warm up game for the league action. This League Cup tie is a tricky fixture though, as relegated Hull City head to the SoL for our first competitive game in six months.

There’s been a lack of quality signings, and we still have deficiencies in terms of pace and goal threat, so it’ll be interesting to get a gauge on where we are in relation to a favourite for promotion.

I expect Parkinson to start his first choice XI, and those players will be desperate to impress in the first game of the new season. It’s a difficult one to predict, given the truncated pre-season for both clubs and the fact it is the start of a new season, but I’m going for us to edge it by a goal - from midfield.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Matthew Foster predicts...

Scoreline: Sunderland 1 - 1 Hull City (Hull City to win on penalties)

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Will Grigg

Whilst I hope Sunderland start the season positively and with a win, a loss in the Rich Energy Cup - sorry, I mean the Carabao Cup - would at least give us a little more focus on the league, which should be seen as a positive given how highly unlikely it is that we’d go deep into this competition.

It’s hard to imagine that Hull won’t be in or around the top two in League One this season, given the players currently on their books. Having read quotes from Lewis Coyle, they’re keen on finding their winning mentality early doors, so will undoubtedly be geared up for a game against a team they will consider a rival for promotion.

I suspect Parkinson will field a strong side, and he would be foolish not to consider the likes of Dan Neil from the off, given his impressive performances in pre-season. Will Grigg appears to have been stocking up on petrol and matches during the summer, and with 2 goals in 3 games I can see him starting and scoring our first goal of the new campaign.

It will undoubtedly be a cagey affair, with both teams trying to find their feet in their first competitive match of the season. Alas, I’m going with a 1-1 draw and Hull to win on the ever-dreaded penalties.

Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images