Roker Report Score Predictions: What do our writers think will happen when Sunderland face Plymouth?

Following the victory over Port Vale in the Papa John’s Trophy, we have a second successive round where all of our panel have seen reward for their faith in Lee Johnson’s side to produce the goods.

The three points for the correct score changed hands rapidly in the final stages of the game, but it was Phil who took all three points for predicting the 3-0 win for the Lads to become joint leader with Jack.

Will also made ground on the rest as he picked up the bonus point for correctly calling that Charlie Wyke would open the scoring, as Jack, Malcolm, Matthew and Martin all added a point to their total for backing Sunderland to claim all three points.

It’s back to the Stadium of Light for the visit of Plymouth Argyle where it could be argued Sunderland have been more inconsistent than on their travels. Surely they will keep the faith with Lee Johnson’s side?! 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 - 0 Plymouth Argyle

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Elliot Embleton

Armed with League One’s answer to Pippo Inzaghi, Sunderland will be in a bullish mood as they take on Plymouth Argyle back at the Stadium of Light this evening.

Playing away from home seems to suit Lee Johnson’s side, so I think the first goal is key making this game difficult to predict. If we go 1-0 down, I’d be predicting a Jack Ross special one-all draw, if we score first then there’s every chance we’ll score two or three once again.

Since Plymouth are our opponents and haven’t recorded a win away from home this season, I think the former score is more likely, and even if we score early it’s doubtful that Ryan Lowe’s side will expose themselves to Sunderland’s ruthless counter attacks.

An early goal by Elliot Embleton to be followed by a breakaway finish from Parmo Inzaghi to make Plymouth’s trip down South feel even longer is just the ticket.

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

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Malcolm Dugdale predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 2 - 0 Plymouth Argyle

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Aiden McGeady

After two wins on the bounce, we really need to keep that momentum up, and I’m picking the lads to do that at home against Plymouth. That said, Argyle cannot be under-estimated, and our home form needs to improve to rival our away record, given we have drawn three and lost one at home in our last four outings in League One.

Their form isn’t too bad of late, with a win away at Huddersfield in the FA Cup in recent weeks, and a hard earned point earnt from a 2-2 draw away to Charlton standing out as notable.

Last weekend however they drew 1-1 with Crewe at home which they may well see as two points dropped, and they also will miss Camara from their midfield after he saw red in stoppage time. If the back line can be a robust as they were at Wimbledon and assuming Charlie keeps his shooting boots clean we should take this and 2-0 may be a low call if we turn it on.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Matthew Foster predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 2 - 1 Plymouth Argyle

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

To quote a favourite TV show of mine; “egg and my face were in alignment” following the final whistle at Plough Lane on Saturday.

In my prediction, I had been quite critical of Wyke, but I was made to eat my words after his impressive hat-trick. It doesn’t change the fact that at times this season his finishing has been woeful, but I’m willing to forgive and forget if he keeps this form up.

Tonight’s game is a great chance to kick on, and really pull ourselves back into contention. Our opponents Plymouth have steadied the ship after six straight defeats in November and December, with only one loss in the last five, and an FA Cup win against Championship side Huddersfield to boot.

Add to that, they have a dangerman in Luke Jephcott, who is joint top-scorer in the league with thirteen goals so far. They will be a tough nut to crack, despite their league position. But with our squad starting to return to full strength, we should still have enough to get the job done.

I’m predicting there being only one goal separating the sides, and with our indifferent home form, I’m hoping it falls in our favour.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Jack Howe-Gingell predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 3 - 1 Plymouth Argyle

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Aiden McGeady

What a weekend! A Charlie Wyke masterclass and three points on the board. Plymouth will offer a different test and a threatening striker, which presents a different challenge to most weeks in League One.

Plymouth’s form has dipped of late, finding themselves in lower mid-table, though they remain a threat thanks to the goal scoring exploits of Luke Jephcott, with thirteen goals in the league to date, and he will need to watched carefully.

With long distance travels the norm, Plymouth do not travel well and as such have yet to win a game away from home (you can blame me for jinxing it). Despite Jephcott’s form, Sunderland should be beating team’s such as this, particularly with such a paltry away record. Without Jephcott, Plymouth have scored just fourteen goals, so keeping him quiet should see a victory.

The league’s strongest defence will need to perform to the best of their abilities, and the return of Jordan Willis last time out could see us become even tighter at the back. His performance against Wimbledon was excellent, and Bailey Wright seemed to really benefit from his presence.

I’d like to us play more like we did in parts of the first half against Wimbledon, as well as the closing stages - other than that, we played pretty poorly and we need to find more consistency long term.

Embleton is showing signs of coming out of his shell and hopefully we can use Wyke as more a poaching striker, rather than a target man, which I think will help our overall game immensely.

I think we will win comfortably but the impressive Jephcott will notch for them at some stage. We need to get on a run and move into those playoff positions.

Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images

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Will Jones predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 3 - 1 Plymouth Argyle

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

Who would have guessed that a Sunderland team attacked in the final fifteen minutes after being a goal up up and not sit back? NOT ME - that’s who.

Next, we meet a team struggling toward the foot of the table in Plymouth Argyle. A team that should be a victory. We have what seems like a little strength in depth and can rotate a little for the sake of the season.

Going off Plymouth’s recent form, they have not been able to kick on and have lost midfield general Camara to a late red card last game which will see him miss Tuesday night.

However, this does not mean that talisman Luke Jephcott is any less of a threat. The 20-year-old already has 13 in 18 this season. He will see the SoL as centre-stage when he makes his way onto the pitch.

Despite this, I believe we will kick on. The team are playing until the final whistle now. They have a never die attitude and I hope we will see that again at the SoL.

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

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Martin Wanless predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 4 - 0 Plymouth Argyle

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

After Wyke’s passable impression of Gary Lineker in his pomp on Saturday, I’m backing the big man to open the scoring again against Plymouth - a goal that will hopefully mark the opening of the evening’s floodgates.

Saturday’s line up showed a more adventurous side to Johnson, and I expect we’ll see more of that approach, but not necessarily the same line up.

Plymouth have a reputation for being quite an attacking team, and I think this will be an open game.

With Johnson’s demands to keep attacking till the end beginning to bear fruit, I’m hoping we’ll see a convincing home win.