Score Predictions: SAFC vs Norwich City
12/21/2024 01:00 AM
The Lads take on Norwich City today, what do you think the score will be?
Last time out…
Sunderland came back incredibly well from a two goal deficit to take all three points in Wales last weekend.
Despite being 2-0 down to Swansea City inside the first 20 minutes, the boys rallied later on with goals from Ballard, Neil and Jobe, and took all the spoils.
The long range effort from the skipper for our second was an absolute belter, and ensured we turned the game on its head after Ballard got us one back. Jobe put it to bed with a great run into the box late on.
Today we face Norwich City which will be another stern test for different reasons, though this may be a good time to play them after they have lost two of the last three games.
'The Champion' Martin Wanless predicts...
Score prediction: Sunderland 3 Norwich City 0
Sunderland's first goalscorer: Isidor
After Saturday's excellent comeback we really need to make this game count - particularly given our run of Christmas fixtures.
Norwich have been a bit indifferent this season, but I expect a tough game and us to eventually come out on top. Wilson could do with a goal, so I'm backing him to get the first - maybe from the spot.
Malc Dugdale predicts...
Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Norwich City 0
Sunderland's first goalscorer: Rigg
This feels like a good point to play Norwich, and I hope that is the case as I'm travelling up from Cambridgeshire for this one, and catching up with my old best mate in the process. Who doesn't love Xmas eh!
If we can keep the main man Sainz quiet and get some benefit out of Paddy Roberts running at our old boy Callum Doyle, we should do ok.
2-0 to us, opener by Riggeh, and we march into the Xmas spell with two wins and six points on the bounce, to tell the other top six contenders we are rallying after our very average dip.
Bring it on.
Jack Howe-Gingell predicts...
Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Norwich City 0
Sunderland's first goalscorer: Isidor
It was an amazing game last week. The first 15 minutes were pure chaos and it looked like we had made a complete mess of any chance of three points. However, the lads showed amazing resolve and overturned a 2-0 deficit for the first time since 1998. It speaks volumes about these lads, and it was a delight to see.
It would be nice to have a more relaxed game, for what is the final home game of this year. The lads have done fantastically up to this point and it would be great to leave the home support with three points.
After looking promising, Norwich have slipped to 12th in the table, and we need to pile on the misery. I think we should be able to get at them as defensively, they are vulnerable.
It's about time Wilson Isidor got amongst the goals again, and I back him to do it in what I hope is a routine home win.
Will Jones predicts...
Score prediction: Sunderland 3 Norwich City 1
Sunderland's first goalscorer: Jobe
After an incredible second half against Swansea, we come back to the SOL, where we aren't losing against a team that isn't very good away.
Without players like Sargent, leaves Norwich with Crnac and Sainz as their main threats. We should be looking at isolating those and pushing quickly up the pitch. Norwich aren't great at transitioning defensively and is something our midfield is great at doing. This should allow us to push fast and hard at the defence, being out of position.
If this game was 2 months ago I would have been sweating. However, now, I feel this should be a routine win, and can give us all an early Christmas present.
Matty Foster predicts...
Score prediction: Sunderland 1 Norwich City 0
Sunderland's first goalscorer: Isidor
It was a beautiful comeback against Swansea, and a crucial three points to keep us within touching distance of the top two.
Norwich are the next side to attempt to shatter our unbeaten home run.
However, the Canaries are not great travelers, with their last win on the road coming at the end of September.
Although they do have Borja Sainz up top, who has been lethal in front of goal, with fifteen goals so far.
Keep him quiet, and you're nullifying a huge chunk of their attacking threat.
I'm backing Isidor to find his shooting boots again. So he has a goal to savour this Christmas, along with his champagne, oranges, pickles and toast….
Bomber Davies predicts...
Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Norwich City 0
Sunderland's first goalscorer: Rigg
On paper this game could really be anything. If you think Sunderland's performances and results have been up and down, take a look at Norwich's past 7 games!
A destruction of Plymouth was followed up by a good win at Luton, then losing comprehensively to then strugglers QPR, and a 0-0 draw at Fratton Park. Diving a little deeper, Norwich are poor away from Carrow Road. They've only won on the road twice this season, and not at all since beating Derby back in September!
Our excellent league position is largely thanks to how good we have been at the Stadium of Light this season, and I expect that trend to continue today. Riggy, whilst not grabbing headlines in the last few games, has been putting some serious shiftwork in, and I hope for that to be rewarded with the opening goal on the way to a routine win this week.
Gary Winter predicts...
Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Norwich City 1
Sunderland's first goalscorer: Isidor
What a comeback, what a win! Something that seemed like pure fantasy even after we pulled a goal back. It would be fantastic to build some momentum for the festive fixture pile-up, where often it is exactly that which carries you through against a backdrop of fatigue...and perhaps a few unhealthy treats.
Norwich seem to be patchy at best, but they have scored goals...and they concede them. We must stop Borja Sainz, who has been on fire on the left this season. It's a difficult one to predict as I'm not sure if we get the Norwich from the end of November or the one that has fallen off the wagon in December. They've not won in their last 7 attempts away from home, which usually doesn't end well for us. I'm backing us to find spaces behind them though and a 2-1 win.
I'm not sure how many more times I can back Isidor to hit the barn door but here we go again - Xmas goal for Wilson!
Brett Lyons-Davis predicts...
Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Norwich City 1
Sunderland's first goalscorer: Isidor
Following on from a fantastic comeback last weekend, midtable Norwich come up to the Stadium of Light in patchy form, but they can't be taken lightly with Borja Sainz, and I can see them scoring.
Hopefully Wilson can bring his shooting boots and give the fans an early Christmas present and the lads take another 3 points into the busy festive period.
Last game predictions
A few of the RR writers backed the lads in Cymru, and were rewarded for their patience and faith last weekend, albeit that faith was very much tested.
Points for Malc, Jack and Will helped them in their endeavours as we head into the mad season that is Xmas footy.
Latest standings
Malc slightly extends his lead at the top. Gary hangs onto second, only just, and we have three lads on 15 points chasing the leaders down.
Below that, also nothing in it. Tight as an otter's pocket.
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.
