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Last Time Out...
Our top two are starting to pull away from the rest, this time both getting a point by correctly predicting the draw at Hull City. Will was the only other to pick up a solitary point, which means he pulls six ahead of Martin who is still rooted to the bottom.
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Let’s find out if our panel back us today as we review this round of predictions...
Philip Butler Predicts...
Score Prediction: Sunderland 4-0 Accrington Stanley
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke
Sunderland have played well in the last couple of games despite being unable to get back to winning ways.
However, Accrington have been on the end of a few hammerings this season and, against a side with nothing to play, for I can see Lee Johnson seeing this game as a good chance to build some confidence ahead of a probably play off campaign.
Hopefully we can perform at a similar level to Tuesday night, and against weaker opposition that should be good enough to take home the points.
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Malcolm Dugdale Predicts...
Score Prediction: Sunderland 4-1 Accrington Stanley
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Jordan Jones
Not sure if I am correct but I think I was the only predictions punter to back the lads for a win last time around v Hull, and we went mighty close to getting one. The draw was a good performance (yet not quite good enough), spoiled by errors, mainly in one position we are all aware of.
The issue this time is we are playing a team very different from Hull, who may be seen as having less to play for other than kicking our lads and the ball up in the air and seeking another SAFC scalp for a league one regular outfit to take home.
After being a strong contender for the playoffs not so many weeks ago (remember when they kept winning, and had loads of games in hand?) Accrington are now bang on mid table, 5 points outside the playoffs and about as predictable as a lotto result with 2 wins, 2 losses and a draw in the last 5.
Since that 7-0 drubbing a few miles from my house at Posh, which did so much for Peterborough’s present berth, the only notable result has been a 2-1 away win at Oxford. With them shipping 17 goals in seven games, you have to hope Johnson and the lads find their shooting boots and get a good return.
If we can score 2 away at the KCOM when Mr Wynn tells me Hull concede 1 goal every 2 matches, the stats are shouting why not 4 or 5 for us today.
I am very much hoping the rise of performance from Jones will continue at home to Accy as he should have had a couple on Humberside. Hopefully he can grab 2 or 3 and we can get the end of season form and confidence white hot, ready for that empty Wembley return.
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Matthew Foster Predicts...
Score Prediction: Sunderland 3-0 Accrington Stanley
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke
We deserved more from the Hull game, but it was a strong display against the league leaders. It could be looked at as a missed opportunity to close the gap on Peterborough after their defeat, but I think that ship had sailed after our three defeats.
The aim now should be to finish the season strong, and get the confidence flowing through the team that we can go up via the play-offs. Accrington have had a torrid turn of the year, and despite winning their last game against Doncaster, they haven’t strung two wins together since November.
On top of that, they’ve taken some beatings recently, with even strugglers Wimbledon and Rochdale scoring five and three respectively. If we show the same intensity from the first half on Tuesday, we should win this comfortably. I’d even allow McGeady a chance to fully recover and play an unchanged side (except for McFadzean!)
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Jack Howe-Gingell Predicts...
Score Prediction: Sunderland 2-0 Accrington Stanley
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Jordan Jones
After an improved showing against Hull, I’m hoping we continue where we left off and get back to winning ways. Accrington are firmly in midtable and if the likes of AFC Wimbledon can knock five past them, we should have little issue.
I’d like Johnson to stick with a 4-3-3 as I think it is our best formation and allows Leadbitter to excel. He may not have the legs but he has quality that none of our other central players possess.
If we can attack like we did against Hull, it could easily be a cricket score, and we could do with an upturn in form for our likely Playoff run in. A win would also confirm our Playoff place, so it would be good to knock that off.
Essentially, play 4-3-3, drop McFadzean and attack well, and we’ll win with ease.
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Will Jones Predicts...
Score Prediction: Sunderland 2-1 Accrington Stanley
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Josh Scowen
I believe there has been a little upturn, after those 3 losses in 8 days, the one point from the last two have created more hope with very little to show for it.
The team needs an push, they will ALL want to play and win the play offs, so I say mix it up, give them a kick up the arse, show their place isn’t a given. Drop Wyke for Stewart, burge for Patto. Even stick Younger in and give Hawkes a chance off the bench with Dan Neil. They need to know they aren’t gonna just start every game.
This needs to be the start of a run that takes us up. It’s the final push. Show them what we can do
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Martin Wanless Predicts...
Score Prediction: Sunderland 2-0 Accrington Stanley
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Jordan Jones
Tuesday’s performance, if not result, was a welcome relief, and gave us an injection of hope after a disappointing week. There are a host of issues to iron out in the squad – in fact, at present I don’t think there’s a single position that has a guaranteed starter. From Burge to Wyke, everyone’s under scrutiny, and hopefully that lack of certainty will spur the team who are selected on.
We need to win, for momentum going into the playoffs if nothing else, and I think we will. While Peterborough put seven past this mob, I think we’ll have a more sedate outcome – 2-0.