Score Predictions: Will Sunderland finish on a high note?

Last Time Out...

Points for everyone after last week’s game, but only Phil claimed three for the correct score. Matthew is still within a maximum score of pipping Jack at the post but unfortunately for Martin, it was confirmed last weekend that he ends up with the wooden spoon.

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 4-1 Northampton Town

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Chris Maguire

Another week, another game which I haven’t got a clue about. I’ll be honest, I just used a random number generator for this prediction since we could see both teams’ under-18s go out, or we might have a couple of sides keen to grab a win in their final league game.

4-1 sounds good to me and the name pulled out of the hat was Chris Maguire so he’d better be starting after his penalty last weekend.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Malcolm Dugdale Predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 2-0 Northampton Town

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Lynden Gooch

After a cracking performance away at Plymouth, the one name that has to be close to first on the team sheet is our Goochie.

I’m now divided whether I like him more as a wing-back or a ten, as he has played better in my view as a wing-back mostly this season. Last game, though, his ball for Stewart caught the Plymouth defence off guard, and he could have notched himself.

Hopefully, the positive contributions from the likes of Gooch, Stewart, Diamond, Jones and Maguire continue, whatever the result, as we need to scare the opposition with our strength in depth.

After this one, three games, one objective. Let’s f*cking do this, starting at home to the Cobblers. HA’WAY THE LADS!!

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Matthew Foster Predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 2-0 Northampton Town

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Ross Stewart

While the result itself is inconsequential with play-offs guaranteed, today’s outcome could define whom we face in the semi-finals. Some of us will have preferences as to who we want (or don’t want), but given the other fixtures, I feel it may be another semi-final against Michael Appleton’s Lincoln.

Today’s opponents Northampton had their fate sealed by a 3-0 defeat to Blackpool last weekend, resulting in an immediate return to League Two football. They will be playing for pride alone today and I’m sure will not want to go down with a whimper.

However, they have the joint-worst away record in the league, with only three wins from twenty-two games, and I can’t see them making it four. This is a perfect opportunity for the lads to build on last weekend’s win and go into the play-offs with a bit of confidence behind us!

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Jack Howe-Gingell Predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 3-0 Northampton Town

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Jordan Jones

Last game of the season blowout that means very little, with the play-offs being our current focus.

No disrespect to Northampton but the whole team could be drinking cans in my back garden, and I wouldn’t recognise them. They’ve had a poor season and I’d expect us to have a relatively easy result.

It could be a decent chance to play a few fringe players such as Chris Maguire, who could be important in the play-offs. The only thing that must remain consistent is the backline - it has been makeshift and a weak point for us recently, so the more experience they have together as a unit, the better.

Let’s close the season out with a win and no further complications.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Will Jones Predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 2-1 Northampton Town

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Aiden O’Brien

This is literally a friendly where neither team has anything to play for. All I want is a win, no injuries and something to be happy about.

Bring on the play-offs.

Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images

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Martin Wanless Predicts...

Score Prediction: Sunderland 5-3 Northampton Town

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Oliver Younger

After my relegation from the predictions league this season, I am going out with a bang! A 5-3, rollercoaster of a game with neither side caring much about defence.

I think O’Nien should be rested – there’s little point in risking him, surely – and I’d like to see Younger given a run out in his preferred centre half position. A bullet header from him to open the scoring, from a pinpoint Maguire corner!

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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