Score Predictions: Will we be backing Sunderland for all three points today against Charlton?

Last Time Out...

Only Matthew and Martin picked up a point for the draw and Will collected one for McGeady opening the scoring for Sunderland - meaning that once again it’s as you were in the table.

Can anyone catch Will and can Martin pull himself off the bottom before the end of the season?!

Another huge clash today, but we’re at home, does that make it easier to predict?! Let’s find out if our panel back us today as we review this round of predictions...

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Philip Butler Predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 2-0 Charlton Athletic

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Aiden McGeady

After navigating a difficult Easter weekend, Sunderland know that they still have it in their own hands if they’re to get promoted this season. However, with top of the table Hull City still to play it would be great if we could go into that game knowing a draw is a good result, and that means winning this afternoon.

Thankfully, we’re in good form and I fancy us to do just that. Our defence is strong and were due a clean sheet after a couple of games without one, and my nerves can’t bare to predict a one-goal win so I’m hoping for a comfortable 2-0 home win.

As for goalscorers, Denver Hume should make his return meaning Aiden McGeady will be freed from his creative duties somewhat and can score his second goal in as many games by bagging the first today.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Malcolm Dugdale Predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 2-1 Charlton Athletic

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Lynden Gooch

Like us, the Addicks have had a decent run of late, but with their unbeaten run of seven including three draws, they’re not quite as comprehensively shooting upwards as we are.

They will be keen to grab a playoff spot again though, and they are presently in 7th, sitting three points below Lincoln, so there is lots to play for on both sides.

All those games ago when we faced these lads for the first time in League One, Gooch turned up with a screamer of a diving header sending limbs in all directions, and we took the spoils. I’m hopeful Gooch and Hume will be our wing back pairing for this game, and that we will once again resume our winning run, though it could be tight.

A lot of Charlton’s draws are away from home, and they nicked a 1-0 away at Donny last time out, so we have to be on our game.

Come on Goochie, you’re overdue a great game but have shown flashes of late... show us what you’ve got and let’s grab second place if the chance arises.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Matthew Foster Predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 1-0 Charlton Athletic

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

There’s no time to dwell on our result against Posh, as the games are coming thick and fast, and don’t get any easier from hereon in. We have our old play-off foes Charlton next, who under new manager Nigel Adkins, have extended their unbeaten run to seven games.

Their away form is impressive too, with only four defeats to their name, and have not lost on the road since January 19th. But that was also the date of our last defeat on home turf, and three of their away defeats have come against sides in the top five, so they’re there for the taking.

I’m praying Hume starts today, as McFadzean makes me incredibly nervous. Opposition continue to identify him as our weak link, and with eight cup finals, we can ill afford to have any vulnerabilities to exploit.

I’m backing a close game, with Wyke notching his first goal in four games

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Jack Howe-Gingell Predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 2-0 Charlton Athletic

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Jordan Jones

After a decent draw at London Road, our attention must turn to getting back to winning ways and keeping the pressure on the top two.

Charlton have been in reasonable form, sitting just outside the playoffs. This is commendable after losing Lee Bowyer, but they are in perceived safe hands with Nigel Adkins.

Chuks Aneke and Jayden Stockley remain threats at this level for Charlton, but I’d expect our lads to cope well, much as they did against the so-called free flowing entertainers of League One last time out.

I’m hoping Plymouth and Swindon can push Hull and Peterborough, respectively, to open up an opportunity for us to clamber up the table.

Jones is due a goal since his injury return, so I fancy him to bag here.

Photo by Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty Images

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Will Jones Predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 2-1 Charlton Athletic

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Jordan Jones

With promotion still in our hands, there is no need to look at the table anymore. We do what we need to do and we are up. Albeit being more worried about this game than I have been for any other game, I feel like this is going to be a recurring theme for the next month.

I believe we will win and do our job this weekend, albeit just. Charlton don’t keep many clean sheets, and with Washington being doubtful, and with us having Hume back and Wright on the way back (think he’s got lost somewhere) I am becoming more confident as they days go on.

I believe we can make it, seven to go and still in our hands come Saturday night.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Getty Images

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Martin Wanless Predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 1-0 Charlton Athletic

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Aiden McGeady

Charlton are on a decent run of form, and as always they’ll be a tough opponent for us. That said, I think (hope) they players really have the bit between their teeth going into this run of eight games.

It’s always difficult to predict how a game will go under Lee Johnson, given the variation in team selection. However, I think we’ll go back to O’Brien and Wyke up front and with Jordan Jones in good form on his return from injury I’m hopeful of a victory.

Nigel Adkin’s done a good job since going to Charlton, but I’m backing us to win – I can’t do anything else really, can I?!

1-0 to us, in a tight, nervy game, with McGeady bagging against the club he had a brief loan spell with last year.

Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

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