Score Predictions: Can Sunderland get back to winning ways at Blackpool?

Last Time Out...

No points for a second game running for our RR predictors, and it’s a tough one to call today as Sunderland travel to 5th placed Blackpool.

Another huge clash on the road today, this time at promotion chasing Blackpool. 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: Blackpool 2-1 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

I have to say, I hope I’m as wrong in this prediction as I have been in the last couple of games but it’s difficult to predict anything other than a Blackpool win when considering the form of each side coming into the game.

I have a feeling that we’ll either see a reaction for the Sunderland players and grab a comfortable and much needed victory, or Lee Johnson’s men will continue their drop off in form.

Since I’m expecting most of my fellow predictors to back a return to form for the Lads, I’ll go with a differential and back a home win.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Malcolm Dugdale Predicts...

Score Prediction: Blackpool 1-2 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

We really need to turn a corner in this game, as losing two of our last eight league games was probably all we could afford as we left Easter behind us. Unfortunately we have done that way sooner than we all hoped, so only one option remains to increase pressure on the top two and that is to win the rest.

I’m hoping for a minimum of a very solid performance, well worked tactics, including subs with a purpose, set pieces dealt with effectively and a little more drive and pride for the shirt than we saw at Wigan in that second half on Tuesday.

Picking a couple of positives from Wigan, Charlie notched again with some intelligent and well timed movement to stay on side and get back to scoring with another assist from his wing man McGeady.

Diamond deserves another run too as he was a rare glimpse of positivity for a large chunk of the game. We should at least have Maguire on the bench as we really missed having an impact maker from the bench on Tuesday evening.

Let’s hope we get back to three point hauls on the road - starting with our Saturday lunchtime kick-off today.

Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images

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Matthew Foster Predicts...

Score Prediction: Blackpool 1-1 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

In the space of two games, all hopes of automatic promotion have seemingly disappeared.

But whilst it’s still mathematically possible, the players must keep pushing and keep believing they can do it. Of course, I have serious doubts. But we at least need to end the season well, and if sadly it is to be play-offs, then we go into with a decent run behind us.

It’s just our luck that we face a resurgent Blackpool side twice in the space of ten days, who are in spectacular form, having gone fifteen games without defeat since the start of February.

This is hard to predict. My head says a draw, but a little part of me feels like we could sneak it 1-0. It would be typical Sunderland wouldn’t it? Fill us with confidence, let us down, and then inspire hope once more! However, with the injury to Sanderson adding to our woes, I’m going for our favourite League One score line…

Photo by Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images

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Jack Howe-Gingell Predicts...

Score Prediction: Blackpool 1-3 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Aiden McGeady

I just don’t know which way is up anymore.

Just a few weeks ago everything was tootling along, performances could have been better but we were picking up wins and pressing the top two. Now we are on a losing streak, and have lost our only fully fit central defender in Dion Sanderson.

Blackpool are one of the form sides in the league and they will want to cement their play-off credentials with a win - that said, they haven’t won in two games and had a dismal 0-0 with Accrington last time out. Jerry Yates will be a threat with 18 league goals this season, and another makeshift central defensive pairing will be tested.

We need to play our strongest possible side, and get back to basics. In both of our last two games you could argue that we could have finished off our opposition with the chances created, yet schoolboy defending cost us. It must be stopped, if we want to keep pushing.

Promotion looks a long shot automatically now but we still need to keep up the hunt. It’s time for the leaders to step up, and Johnson to take control. It would be “typical” Sunderland to win, after our last two, but I feel we may see a side with some fire - ha’way the lads.

Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images

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Will Jones Predicts...

Score Prediction: Blackpool 2-1 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Jack Diamond

With one clean sheet in six, the defensive frailties have been showing since that Lincoln goal when Luke O’Nien got turned inside out. Since then it’s only gone downhill and we are looking like a side incapable of playing a full 90 with purpose.

I believe the players needed a kick up the arse after Oxford with a red card being their downfall, then posh, charlton and now Wigan. We seem so one-dimensional most of the time and teams are now used to it. We face the most in form team. Unbeaten in 15 and one looking for 3rd.

We need to treat this like a play-off prequel. Show them what we CAN do, because I believe we can. But I believe this is too soon for us to sure up shop. Alas, I feel we will fall on our sword. Sorry lads, three in a row for me

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Martin Wanless Predicts...

Score Prediction: Blackpool 1-2 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

If Tuesday was a must win game, I don’t know what this one is. Really must win? Must, must win? Anyway, we need to win for a number of reasons – we have to keep in the race if Hull or Posh slip up, and we need to end the season strongly if we’re in the play-offs.

Team selection wise, it’ll be interesting to see what Johnson does – I hope the players have gotten a bit of a kick up the backside, and while Sanderson’s injury means O’Nien in midfield is unlikely to happen any time soon, I’d love to see him in an advanced role getting up to support Wyke. Wyke needs better service, and as a team we need to find a different source of goals – and a different way of scoring them.

Blackpool are doing really well, and it’ll be another very tough test. Let’s hope we pass it. My heart, rather than my head, says a narrow victory for the lads.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images