Last time out...

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Current standings...

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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.

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This week’s predictions...

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Explain yourself...

Phil Butler says...

Sheffield Wednesday 2-2 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Lynden Gooch

Since everyone else seems to be backing Sunderland to bounce back from Saturday's defeat, I'll play the part of pessimist and go for a draw.

It is true that we bounce back from our previous league defeats, but Sheffield Wednesday are a better side than many in the division and if it wasn't for Saturday's result many would have accepted a draw at Hillsborough to be a decent point.

Aiden McGeady's suspension opens the door for Lynden Gooch to return to the side, so I'll go for the American as our first goalscorer.

Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images

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Malcolm Dugdale says...

Sheffield Wednesday 1-3 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Ross Stewart

The outcome on Saturday has made this way more of a must win than we hoped, and only a win in the league will refresh confidence and team belief after two poor games both home and away, to Charlton and Rotherham.

I think a large part of the issue on Saturday was the formation and tactics as well as personnel not playing their best. To be fair to the Millers, they played well too, and they killed us off very well, something we at times fail to achieve even against ten men.

Tuesday is time for the gaffer to show we have both the tactical nous and the players in the squad to stay in touch with the top two, at least till we get chance to play games in hand. This is as much a test for the coaching team as it is for the squad, while also being a chance for fringe players to shine and claim a regular place in the starting XI.

McGeady could well struggle to get back in the side after that brain fart on Saturday, and it is arguably time we plan to play without him, or with him as an impact sub, so it would be good to begin demonstrating how that will work against the Owls.

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Matthew Foster says...

Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Ross Stewart

Saturday's defeat was without doubt the most frightening thing I watched on Halloween weekend. It was a massacre, but there's no use feeling sorry for ourselves, we need to react and react well.

Sheffield Wednesday's season so far reminds me of Sunderland in their first year in League One; Decent enough at home, but an inability to turn draws into wins, with seven stalemates so far.

My prediction is more blind faith than genuine belief. But if we hold out any hope of achieving top two, it's all about how well we recover from setbacks. Stewart to fire us in the lead before we win it late on in front of the 4,000-strong away end.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Jack Howe-Gingell says...

Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Ross Stewart

These calamity results are becoming too common for my liking and it’s starting to feel like Groundhog Day again (a groundhog Groundhog Day, if you will). Sheff Wed will be a tough test, with arguably the strongest squad at this level and we will need to match them.

We desperately need to start tightening up at the back, and need to reconsider our outfield. McGeady has been poor and his suspension thankfully will provoke a change. I feel that Luke O’Nien needs a break as well - the lad is not a holding midfielder and he and the team are suffering due to it.

I’m positive we can bounce back and stop the rot.

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Will Jones says...

Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Ross Stewart

I sincerely hope that Saturday was just the lowest we go this season. We have shown we can win, and win well, and shown we can play well.

Rotherham are a good side, nay, great side in this league and Tuesday will be a different kettle of fish. Sheff Wed have shown time and time again this season they drop silly points against not so great teams and yet beat some better ones.

Currently on a four game run of draws, they will be desperate to break that duck. I feel I can draw many comparisons from them this season to the season we came down. Lots of ‘Championship quality’ players not adapting to this league and paying the price.

It’s important we avoid a third straight defeat to stop the rot and push on once again.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Martin Wanless says...

Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Ross Stewart

After Saturday’s horror show we need a pick me up, and I’ve got no clue as to how we’ll respond.

Will Rotherham merely be act one of a miserable two-part horror show, or will a presumably much changed team take the challenge that awaits head first and get three points that would actually be a decent return from our South Yorkshire double header?

I’m basing this prediction on pure superstition, nothing more, nothing less. The last time we were beaten 5-1 on halloween weekend, we followed it up with a 2-0 win over a team beginning with S. So here’s hoping.

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Chris Wynn says...

Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Ross Stewart

I went for a 1-1 draw at the weekend, but had a feeling we’d win - tonight I’m a bit worried we’ll go down to a third straight league defeat so I’ll sit on the fence and go for another draw.

The emphasis could be on not losing tonight rather than going out for three points, but it will be interesting to see if this side can curb a natural instinct to go and grind out a result.

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