Score Predictions: Will Sunderland find a win on the road at Plymouth Argyle?

Last Time Out...

Nobody could take advantage and gain ground by predicting the Lads would come unstuck at home to Blackpool last time out, so no change.

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: Plymouth Argyle 0-2 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

To quote myself from my midweek prediction, “I haven’t a clue how we’ll play, who will start or how up for it we will be for what is essentially a dead rubber game.”

However, I’m more confident for today’s game than I was in midweek mainly due to the quality of opposition. Last weekend against Accrington we let a 2-0 lead slip and ended up drawing the game, but I think we’ll manage to hold on this time with Lee Johnson’s side likely to be keen to avoid needing a result in the last game of the season in order to secure our spot in the playoffs.

Charlie Wyke was back scoring last weekend, so I hope he can get us underway this afternoon.

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

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Malcolm Dugdale Predicts...

Score Prediction: Plymouth Argyle 0-2 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Aiden McGeady

I almost went for an out of the box suggestion to open the scoring for the Lads today in the hope that Lee Johnson goes with some sort of exploratory team, though I expect he will field a “strong” starting XI - trying to get the win which secures play-offs for sure.

We could, and should, have had a large number of goals across our recent poor run, so I’m hopeful we can knock a couple in, lock and load the extended season fixtures, and then really try out some alternate options against the Cobblers in our last game.

Both Plymouth and Northampton have taken points from us which could have meant our present position was way better, so we have a score to settle for that as well as that play-off berth to reserve.

Come on lads show us some positive momentum, but for f*ck sake don’t get anyone injured.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Matthew Foster Predicts...

Score Prediction: Plymouth Argyle 1-3 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Charlie Wyke

We really need to turn our form around before the play-offs, and these last two games are an ideal way of doing so. Plymouth are in poor shape right now, having lost four of their last five and conceded sixteen goals.

They have nothing to play for now with their position in League One guaranteed, so their foot may have come off the gas a bit. We should be winning this comfortably, but I’ve said that countless times this season and Sunderland always find a way to prove me wrong.

I’d like to see a big performance today, and bag a couple of goals against one of the leakiest defences in the league.

Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images

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Jack Howe-Gingell Predicts...

Score Prediction: Plymouth Argyle 0-3 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Chazzington Wyke

We will put Tuesday’s disappointment behind us, and let’s face it, we should have at least drawn the game with our chances. Plymouth have the flip flops on already, eagerly anticipating their summer holidays to Skegness, and I fancy us to slide past them pretty easily.

It might seem a bit odd after our recent run but they have nothing to play for and I just think it will be typical Sunderland to go all the way to the south coast and cruise it.

We really need to confirm our playoff place so it would come at a good time, and perhaps will give us some room to try out a few youth players in our last game of the season - McLaughlin and Flanagan could be available as well so that would be a good chance for them to get minutes.

Wyke to set us away for a comfortable away win.

Photo by Mark Fletcher/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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Will Jones Predicts...

Score Prediction: Plymouth Argyle 0-4 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Lynden Gooch

Three points to make the play-offs. Let’s do this now so the lads can rest.

Plymouth have got nothing to play for and should be doing the same. So we should be able to take advantage should they have a lacklustre performance.

I believe we should have this wrapped up by half-time, the players need to get this done and dusted. So they can just look at the play-offs and train and work on that. Get it done for the love of god lads. Make it three games from promotion.

Photo by Mark Fletcher/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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Martin Wanless Predicts...

Score Prediction: Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Sunderland

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Chris Maguire

Redemption, of sorts, starts today. Both from a team perspective and a Chris Maguire perspective.

I suspect we’ll see a continuation of the focus on defensive solidity that we saw in midweek, and this time it’ll pay off with a clean sheet. I hope Maguire starts, but even if he doesn’t he’ll surely get game time from the bench. Johnson simply cannot keep ignoring him.

The coming weeks could be his swan song in a Sunderland shirt, but Maguire’s a big game player at this level - and he can make all of the difference.

Photo by Joe Portlock/Getty Images