Score Predictions: Will Sunderland return to winning ways at Bristol Rovers?

Last Time Out...

All six of our panel backed Sunderland to take all three points... and all six fell flat on their faces on all counts – so no change to the table.

Let’s find out if our panel back us to return to winning ways as we review this round of predictions...

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Philip Butler Predicts...

Score Prediction: Bristol Rovers 0-2 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Lynden Gooch

A long time has passed since Sunderland were forced to settle for a draw against Rovers during Phil Parkinson’s time at the helm, with both clubs changing managers to go in very different directions.

Rovers were on a plan to play football “the right way” under Ben Garner, something which seems to have been thrown out completely with the appointment of J*ey B*rton.

Thankfully for us, their form hasn’t improved and they still seem to be sh*te.

They concede a load so I fancy us to get a couple, and we keep loads of clean sheets so I’ll back us for another one this afternoon.

As for goalscorers, Chaz is too mainstream so I’ll go for Lynden Gooch who is always had a decent chance of finding the back of the net even when not playing well.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Malcolm Dugdale Predicts...

Score Prediction: Bristol Rovers 1-5 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

After a tight 1-1 at home to Lincoln I am hoping a refreshed set of black cats can take this game to Barton’s Bristol and come home with another three points and a decent goal haul.

Bristol have only scored twice in the last four games, though they beat Accy 4-1 at home the game before, so we need to be conscious if they turn up we will have a job to do.

I fancy Wyke to push for another match ball hence the FGS nomination, especially given he had a quiet game at home to the Imps. Be good to get Jones back on the pitch and the scorecard, and if Denver has a run out his attacking runs may well pull a penalty from our ex pat Baldwin.

This needs to be a win by any means but I want it to be a major punch in the face for Joey Barton, and a major shot in the arm for the lads as we push for second place in the wake of Posh dropping more points midweek. Come on lads, this is a game we need to win, let’s smash that clown.

Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images

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Matthew Foster Predicts...

Score Prediction: Bristol Rovers 0-3 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

With no midweek game, I hope the lads have recharged their batteries and are chomping at the bit to go again.

Bristol Rovers may be a side bang out of form and struggling at the foot at the table, but they will be up for this, helped in no doubt by Joey Barton.

Expect his usual drivel about the gulf in size between the clubs, but rest assured he would love nothing more than getting one over us to inflate his ego, and play up to his black and white followers.

I think it will be a feisty game, so we need to get straight into them and land a couple of body blows early on, and wear them down over the rest of the match.

I don’t want to be too confident, but given Johnson is unlikely to allow any complacency in the squad, I can see us winning against the Gas and keeping the pressure on the sides above.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Jack Howe-Gingell Predicts...

Score Prediction: Bristol Rovers 0-4 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

In my biggest scoreline prediction of the season, it’s a great opportunity to keep cranking up the pressure on a stuttering Peterborough.

Bristol Rovers have lost four of their last six (third team in a row with this stat, bizarrely) and they sit in among the relegation places.

I remember playing them on the first game of the season and anyone half decent would have battered them. Sadly, we were full Parkinson, and a 1-1 draw was almost expected.

People talk about the ‘Barton factor’, but the bloke is nothing special in the slightest. He was fortunate to have a semi-decent Fleetwood side and even then they weren’t up to much.

We’ve had a week off after a few tough fixtures and I fancy the lads to be fit and firing, hence the larger scoreline prediction.

Charlie Wyke to set us on our way, with the team buzzing and setting us up well for another run of perceived tougher games.

Photo by Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Images

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Will Jones Predicts...

Score Prediction: Bristol Rovers 0-2 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Aiden McGeady

With a week that may have shown Peterborough’s bottle, we go into a game, hopefully fresh and ready to bounce back.

This is arguably, on paper, our easiest game to go. They have lost seven of their last 10 in which Barton has been in charge for the last nine. To say he has an upward battle is an understatement.

On the other hand, he will want to beat us, of course he will, not just because it’s us but because everyone around him is picking up points.

I believe it’s gonna follow the same as Accrington. Scrappy, terrible game, but we will show our quality again and have an edge that will give us another three points.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Martin Wanless Predicts...

Score Prediction: Bristol Rovers 1-3 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Max Power

We need to get back to winning ways this afternoon, and I’m predicting us to get there eventually.

If Barton wasn’t in charge I’d be as confident as some of the other lads, but you just know the tool will have his team up for the game today. Pathetic.

Regardless, we’ll be fine. 3-1, with an opener from captain Max.

Photo by Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images

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