Score Predictions: Will Sunderland come out on top against promotion rivals Peterborough?

Last Time Out...

Five of our six picked up a single point for predicting a Sunderland win, and our sixth picked up a point for making the call that Lynden Gooch would open the scoring for Sunderland - so it’s once again a case of as you were.

It’s a huge clash today - does that make it tougher to call how many we’ll win by?! Let’s find out if our panel back us today at Peterborough as we review this round of predictions...

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Philip Butler Predicts...

Score Prediction: Peterborough United 0 - 1 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

Although it may seem slightly counterintuitive to back Sunderland to keep a clean sheet against the division’s more potent attacking force, Lee Johnson’s side is likely to be entering today’s game knowing that if we can stop the home side from scoring we are certain to be happy with the result.

That being said, I still back us to score in every game and if Aiden O’Brien is preferred over Lynden Gooch in behind Wyke, The Sunderland number nine is a brilliant shout to get his name back on the scoresheet after turning creator on Friday for our third and final goal.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Malcolm Dugdale Predicts...

Score Prediction: Peterborough United 0 - 1 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Jordan Jones

This game is the first against the two teams just above us, and while a draw will be ok given the games in hand to come, it would be an immense statement to the league if we overtake Peterborough by beating them, even by a mere 1-0, especially on their own patch.

After a stellar return from injury against Oxford, and given he was withdrawn in the second half without injury, Jones has to start and also has to be low odds to score for us. He provided one and hit the bar at home on Friday, and he will be super keen to add to his tally.

I doubt this will be a multi goal thriller with all that is at stake, but I do think we have enough to take it by an odd goal.

Come on lads, let’s step into the top two and never look back.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Matthew Foster Predicts...

Score Prediction: Peterborough United 2 - 2 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Jordan Jones

The comeback against Oxford proved a crucial one, after both Hull and Peterborough left it late to win their respective games. So it’s as we were, and today presents a perfect opportunity to move into the top two for the first time since April 2019, as we face second placed Peterborough.

It’s the best home team vs best away, and the pressure is firmly on the home side. It’s more of a “must not lose” scenario for us, but undoubtedly Johnson will be gunning for the win. I said in a roundtable last week I would take a minimum four points, and I stand by that. Of course I would love us to win, but a draw keeps us in touching distance.

I expect an end-to-end game, but can see Jordan Jones adding to his man of the match performance on Friday with a goal today

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Jack Howe-Gingell Predicts...

Score Prediction: Peterborough United 0 - 2 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Jordan Jones

An absolutely huge game in the promotion race, and it really has that big game feel.

Peterborough have a good attacking like, with the likes Jonson Clarke-Harris and Sammy Szmodics providing some real quality. That said, they are not the best defensively and this can be seen in the three goals they conceded against a poor Rochdale side.

I go into this game eagerly anticipating it but with no fear. Peterborough’s last two games have papered over a promotion chasing side in poor form - Accrington were abject, with their back line looking like they had won a competition to be there, and they need a late set piece to bail them out against a faltering Fleetwood.

If we can turn up and play the way I know we can, we will win at a canter. The return of Jordan Jones will be the extra edge we need - he clearly has quality that surpasses this level and I have no doubt he will excel again in a big game environment.

In my mind, this will play out like the Portsmouth game and the players will play with confidence and swagger.

Fire us into the promotion places, lads, and never look back.

Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images

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Will Jones Predicts...

Score Prediction: Peterborough United 2 - 3 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Aiden McGeady

The best home team in League One vs the best away team, live on sky. Who’d have thought this at Christmas?

I believe we have it. I’m really not sure. At all. We have played meh, in every first half since Pompey. This is worrying as Posh are a team that can capitalise on flat footed teams from the get go.

However, they are either either a 10/10 or a 1/10, and is a pain to predict. I see it being extremely scrappy, with both teams not wanting to lose, but it could be the first time in a long time we concede two in a game, just hope Wyke and co are ready to score more than them!

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Martin Wanless Predicts...

Score Prediction: Peterborough United 2-2 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Grant Leadbitter

Unlike the other lads, I’m not confident of a win today – and in reality a draw will be a good result for us anyway.

The pitch is a mud bath, and we’ve not done too well down there since we’ve been in the third tier.

Of course, Lee Johnson’s currently busting every hoodoo going, and the team’s showing a great steeliness – if not consistently great performances – so a win’s not out of the question. However, I’m going for a 2-2 draw in a fairly entertaining game – I suspect Grant Leadbitter might be given a start – so I’ll back him to emulate his goalscoring feat in that pivotal game at Southampton on Easter Monday 14 years ago.