Last time out...
Current standings...
How the points are awarded...
Just a quick reminder on how we allocate points to our match-by-match predictions:
- Correct score = 3 points
- Correct outcome (but not correct score) = 1 point
- Correct first Sunderland goalscorer = 1 point
- Possible deductions for being lazy and not submitting = to be decided
We also have our League One predictions here that went out on the site before the season began. We’ll keep an eye on these as we go along because, at the end of the season, this will come back into play when each correctly placed side adds five points to that person’s tally.
This week’s predictions...
Explain yourself...
Phil Butler says...
Portsmouth 0-3 Sunderland
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Tom Flanagan
The goals have started to flow for Sunderland after a couple of weeks where we struggled to kill games off. Nathan Broadhead would have been my shout for first goalscorer, but it looks like he'll miss out due to injury, so I'll back another set piece goal to get us started on our way to victory.
Malcolm Dugdale says...
Portsmouth 1-3 Sunderland
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Elliot Embleton
I am not sure we will keep another clean sheet this weekend, but I am quite confident we will get 2-3 goals and have too much for our hosts on the south coast.
Pompey have let in 8 goals in the last 4 games and only come away with 2 points from 2 draws, so we need to keep that trend going.
With Broadhead out for a couple of weeks after a stellar show at home last time out leading to an injury, I think Embo will come back in and show what he can bring. Having the attacking options to rotate is a real bonus compared to last season, so let's hope it continues to bear fruit.
Even a point from a draw will keep us top, but this is a good time to play Pompey who have tended to start slowly in the past season or two, so let's smash and grab all 3 points with 3 goals.
Matthew Foster says...
Portsmouth 1-1 Sunderland
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Ross Stewart
Whilst both sides find themselves in differing runs of form, my gut is telling me this will end in a draw. We were ruthless against a poor Cheltenham, but Portsmouth are by no means a poor side and I can't see this poor start continuing for long under Cowley.
A point would keep us top of the pile, and a point on the road would not be a bad result at all. The Highland Haaland will grab our goal to continue his rich vein of form, as we revert to our favourite result of old.
Jack Howe-Gingell says...
Portsmouth 0-2 Sunderland
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Aiden McGeady
After a tremendous outing midweek, it’s a long trip south to the Portsmouth Plodders.
They are without a win in seven games and we need to pile on the misery. The usual faces will threaten such as Curtis, Harness and Marquis, but we are in a far better position this season so I’d expect is to cope better.
A few injuries are mounting up with Broadhead and Flanagan both leaving the field with issues, adding on to problems with Doyle and Gooch. Our strength in depth is better than most in the league however, and the likes of Embleton and Neil will also come back into contention.
Let’s sweep them away and keep marching on.
Will Jones says...
Portsmouth 1-1 Sunderland
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Elliot Embleton
What a bounce from the collapse at Fleetwood - 3 wins in all competitions and no goals conceded. We look calm and collected for the most part and seem to be getting a head of steam, but as all good things do, I believe this will come to a small but insignificant end this weekend.
Pompey are having a torrid time at the moment having not won since their opening 3 wins and with Fratton park being a notoriously horrible place to go in general, I believe we will succumb to a stale 1-1 stalemate, where an early lead is taken and it is just a barrage of pressure leading to an equaliser and it dies from there.
It means we will still be top of the league come Saturday night. That’s all that matters.
Martin Wanless says...
Portsmouth 0-2 Sunderland
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Luke O’Nien
This will be a tough test – certainly tougher than Tuesday’s outing against Cheltenham – and it’ll be interesting to see how we come through it in front of a sell-out crowd at Fratton Park.
Luke O’Nien’s getting better by the week in midfield – he gets about the park, passes well, tackles with intent and his workrate is superb: and in the last couple of weeks, he’s added goals to his game.
He’s got two in his last three, and I’m backing him to keep his good run going with the opening goal in a hard-fought 2-0 win.
Chris Wynn says...
Portsmouth 0-1 Sunderland
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Ross Stewart
My immediate reaction was to say 1-1, but that is the scar that we carry from the previous three years in League One. It’s different this time, isn’t it?
Portsmouth are there for the taking and we’re in good form, everything about it says we’re going to go there and continue our good run.
It’s going to be 1-1 now isn’t it?!
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