Score Predictions: Millwall vs SAFC
Yesterday at 01:00 AM
After an injury and suspension-disrupted buildup, can Régis Le Bris steer the Lads to victory in South London?
Last time out…
After dominating the first half and taking a two-goal lead into the break via a couple of 'goal of the month' contenders from Wilson Isidor and Dennis Cirkin, Sunderland somehow failed to come away with three points against Coventry in our last outing before the latest international break.
After sitting back for most of the second half, we allowed the visitors to draw level in the last six minutes of normal time, when based on the first forty five, we arguably should've cruised to a win.
The Lads will need to be at their best to get something at The Den today, with Millwall unbeaten at home and away since early October and having already beaten other pre-season promotion contenders including Leeds United and Burnley during a very strong first half of this month.
'The Champion' Martin Wanless predicts...
Score prediction: Millwall 2 Sunderland 1
Sunderland's first goalscorer: Wilson Isidor
With so many players out, we're down to the bare bones this week, and it's a tough place to go and get something when at full strength, never mind anything else.
I'm not confident going into the game today but hopefully the lads who come in will grab their chance and prove me wrong!
Malc Dugdale predicts...
Score prediction: Millwall 1 Sunderland 1
Sunderland's first goalscorer: Dan Neil
Whilst our first eleven will be changed in order to deal with the injuries and suspensions thrust upon us, I think we'll have enough to get something from this game.
Dan Neil hasn't scored for a while, so if I was going to the game and was putting on a wee wager, I'd probably put a few quid on him, so I'm backing him. He hit the post recently and with the changes in mind, he may be allowed to roam forward more than in the first third of the season.
We could lose this; we may win it and surprise many as we sometimes do, but a draw feels like the most probable outcome. It may not be three points but an away point is always a good one.
Jack Howe-Gingell predicts...
Score prediction: Millwall 1 Sunderland 2
Sunderland's first goalscorer: Wilson Isidor
This will be a tough game. Millwall are in great form and we're seeing a few signs of struggle, with more injuries and suspensions to contend with.
We really need some of our second string to step up and show us what they can do. Both of our first choice wingers are unavailable and that will affect what we can do massively.
I'm hoping the international break will have come at a good time, renewing the Lads' energy and giving us enough willpower to get this one over the line.
Three points here would be an incredible result, and I believe we have the fortitude to do it.
Will Jones predicts...
Score prediction: Millwall 0 Sunderland 1
Sunderland's first goalscorer: Luke O'Nien
Another rest period over and done with, and this is where the season really kicks on.
On the face of it, a game at The Den really couldn't feel like it's been timed any more badly, as Millwall are the form team in the last six, but we're third.
We've seen it before, as an international break can really knock the wind the out of the sails, and I'm hoping for a lacklustre performance from the home side.
We're going to be heavily rotated and will probably have a new tactic to go ahead with. I think we can pull something out of the bag and come home with the three points.
Matty Foster predicts...
Score prediction: Millwall 1 Sunderland 0
Sunderland's first goalscorer: N/A
With so many injuries and suspensions to key players, there couldn't be a more inopportune time to play an in-form Millwall.
They have four wins from seven, with the scalps of Burnley and Leeds United included, and will have no fear against a depleted Sunderland side. Additionally, they've conceded only twice in those seven games, so will undoubtedly be difficult to break down.
I certainly don't want to be 'Mr Negative' whilst we (at the time of writing) sit top and unbeaten in eight, but this fixture causes me some concern.
Truth be told, I think we'll do well to come away from this with a point, and although I'm predicting a narrow defeat, it's worth bearing in mind that I'm bottom of the predictions table, so what do I know!
Bomber Davies predicts...
Score prediction: Millwall 1 Sunderland 1
Sunderland's first goalscorer: Dennis Cirkin
Whilst The Den might not be the cauldron of hostility it once was, it's still a significant stronghold for Millwall.
They're in decent form of late and many of their games this season have been very tight, with somewhat of a streak of them finishing with no more than one goal.
It'll be a tight affair and an attritional battle, but one that'll with honours even and not many goals.
Gary Winter predicts...
Score prediction: Millwall 1 Sunderland 1
Sunderland's first goalscorer: Wilson Isidor
We were very good for one half against Coventry and went into reverse for the second forty five minutes, when a large chunk of the hard work was done to take three points.
Injuries and suspensions seem to be mounting, so it'll be a difficult task to take on in-form Millwall.
The Lions have beaten both Leeds United and Burnley in their last two home games and are unbeaten at The Den since the opening day of the season. Indicators point to a challenging fixture that'll need us to show every ounce of character we possess and to stand tall against a fiery home crowd.
It's a game that I wouldn't be surprised to lose, but I predict that we'll extend our run of draws to four games if the desire and effort levels are at the maximum.
Brett Lyons-Davis predicts...
Score prediction: Millwall 0 Sunderland 0
Sunderland's first goalscorer: N/A
I'm heading down for this one and after one look at the weather forecast, plus our depleted squad, I can't say I'm massively optimistic for the weekend ahead.
They've not scored more than one goal for eight games so I'm not expecting a goal fest, but they're definitely a tough nut to crack- just ask Leeds and Burnley.
If we head home from the capital with a point in the bag, that's a great result in the grand scheme of things, and I think that's exactly what'll happen.
Last game predictions
The RR writers were pretty optimistic given how long it's been since we beat Coventry.
No one went for a draw and some of us thought it was going to be a proper goal fest, and if we'd built on the first half with a decent second period, maybe it would've been.
Latest standings
Malc ties level with Martin in first, whilst Will is a close third, with Jack right on his bumper.
Two points separate Bomber in fifth and Matty at the foot of our table.
There's nothing in it, as is likely to be the case at Millwall, but hopefully the away team can get something, and ideally can get all three points to get our two-point average topped back up again.
How the points are awarded
Just a quick reminder of how we allocate points to our match-by-match predictions:
- Correct score = Three points
- Correct outcome (but not correct score) = One point
- Correct first Sunderland goalscorer = One point (no goal scorer is a valid call)
- Possible deductions for being lazy and not submitting on time = Yellow Card warning, then a two point deduction.
