Last time out...
All seven predicted the Sunderland victory on Saturday, but everyone thought it would be more comfortable so a point all round.
Current standings...
A point for everyone means no change in our table.
How the points are awarded...
Just a quick reminder on how we allocate points to our match-by-match predictions:
- Correct score = 3 points
- Correct outcome (but not correct score) = 1 point
- Correct first Sunderland goalscorer = 1 point
- Possible deductions for being lazy and not submitting = to be decided
We also have our League One predictions here that went out on the site before the season began. We’ll keep an eye on these as we go along because at the end of the season, this will come back into play when each correctly placed side adds five points to that person’s tally.
Tonight’s predictions...
Explain yourself...
Phil Butler says...
Blackpool 0-1 Sunderland
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Jack Diamond
Despite playing opposition from a higher division, I actually fancy Sunderland to get a positive result from tonight's game. Blackpool would absolutely take championship survival over a cup run and if they play a weakened team there's no reason why we can't take advantage.
With so many games to play in the early months of the season I'm expecting to see a few changes from us in the cup games. Jack Diamond remains on the edge of the first team so this could be his chance to put some pressure on Lynden Gooch's spot in the side by bagging a goal.
Malcolm Dugdale says...
Blackpool 2-1 Sunderland
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Jack Diamond
Given the challenges we are having with creating opportunities and then converting them I’m going for a 2-1 loss. The scoring issues combined with the major changes I expect in the team will likely mean we exit the cup, but that is precisely what I want.
I’d like us to save our legs, our unwanted injuries and new attacking-based football for the league games only. If Johnson gives a run out to a few under 18s to further reiterate the focus on youth, good on him. This game means nothing to me other than learning more about how we win the league.
There’s a good chance young Jack may go out on loan soon so I’m thinking this could be his parting game. He could well nick it for us, but we have only managed one clean sheet with the first XI, so with Alves and Huggins likely coming in for a chunk of minutes, I doubt that clean sheet will repeat from Saturday.
I think this is the first time I’ve ever predicted a loss for the lads, but I’m happy to be right with that this time.
Matthew Foster says...
Blackpool 1-1 Sunderland
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Nathan Broadhead
(Blackpool to win on penalties)
It’s been said many times by Sunderland fans, but in the season’s gone by, we’d have probably drawn that game against Wimbledon on Saturday, so it’s pleasing to secure all three points.
On to the League Cup once more, and despite not winning any of their first four in the league, Blackpool put in a spirited display to come from 2-0 to Bournemouth to secure a point, and made minced meat of Middlesbrough in the first round. Hopefully, this game is a chance to give some of the new lads a runout and a chance to impress.
It’ll be a tough game, but I reckon we’ll take them to penalties. Then your guess is as good mine as to who wins, but my gut says the Tangerines will triumph.
Jack Howe-Gingell says...
Blackpool 0-1 Sunderland
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Nathan Broadhead
After another league win, I feel like this is a good opportunity to rotate and get some valuable minutes on the board for our new lads. Nathan Broadhead, Fred Alves and Niall Huggins could all do with game time and it’s a great chance to show what they can do.
Blackpool seem largely similar to the team that was promoted last season and they are still finding their feet in the league above. I fancy us to take advantage of this and a high energy youthful side will edge it.
Will Jones says...
Blackpool 1-0 Sunderland
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: N/A
Another win allows us to go into the league cup on a high. I fully believe this year is a year we should not focus on anything except the league, and therefore play a youth team no matter who we are playing, give them some minutes and keep the games we play to a minimum.
I also believe that winning creates a winning mentality no matter the competition, however, with Blackpool having a rough start, I believe they may have the bit between their teeth to turn it around against our kids and fringe players. I’m excited to see some different lads play and see how they get on.
Martin Wanless says...
Blackpool 0-1 Sunderland
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Elliot Embleton
It’s a near-impossible game to predict – we’ll undoubtedly rest players and give some who’ve not got many minutes in their legs a game, and so will Blackpool.
The extent to which the two sides do it will likely determine the outcome, but I’m going for the ‘romantic’ outcome here: Embleton, who of course played a significant role in Blackpool’s promotion, to return to Bloomfield Road to snatch the only goal of the game.
If the situation was reversed, you just know it would happen to us, don’t you?!
Chris Wynn says...
Blackpool 1-0 Sunderland
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: N/A
I doubt either team deep down really wants to win this one. I’d be amazed if the game is played at a high tempo and I expect it to be first goal the winner, or it goes to penalties.
So with that in mind, I’m backing us to lose one of our distractions this season and let Blackpool worry about getting smashed by some mid-table Premier League club next month.