Score Predictions: Stoke vs SAFC

12/29/2024 01:00 AM

The Lads are on their travels again today, so how do you see this one going after two valuable points slipped from our grasp at Ewood Park?

Last time out…

The Lads fought very hard on Boxing Day and looked to have the victory in the bag after coming from behind against Blackburn.

After the hosts scrambled in a messy goal before bossing most of the first half, we rallied early in the second period and Chris Rigg deservedly scored from close range after a goalmouth scramble.

A beautiful backheeled finish from Wilson Isidor put a cherry on our early second half dominance and gave us the lead ten minutes after the break.

Sadly, the points ended up shared after we let in a ninetieth-minute equaliser, denying us the away win that the 7500 travelling fans deserved.

Today we head to Stoke City, who've lost four of their last five matches and also parted company with Narcís Pèlach only three months into his tenure.

Can we grab an away win whist they're without a full time coach, or will the (interim) manager bounce be timed just right for Stoke, and at just the wrong time for us?

'The Champion' Martin Wanless predicts...

Score prediction: Stoke City 0 Sunderland 2

Sunderland's first goalscorer: Jobe

Stoke sacking their manager just before they play us may well increase their chances of winning the game.

We should still have more than enough to get all three points today though, to set up the Sheffield United game nicely.

Jobe came close on Boxing Day and I think he'll be on the scoresheet today.

Malc Dugdale predicts...

Score prediction: Stoke City 0 Sunderland 3

Sunderland's first goalscorer: Jobe

We should've taken all three points on Boxing Day, but at half time I thought we were lucky to still be in the game at all, so the second half turnaround and the point gained was begrudgingly welcomed, eventually.

We've failed to get out of the starting blocks a few times of late, and have started to concede scrappy goals whilst not really taking our chances, but we're still not losing games, even away from home.

That says a lot about the fortitude and character of the squad and the gaffer, and should all be fixable, I'm hoping we do that today.

I'm calling us to win this comfortably, and hoping that we end the year with good football from the first whistle, some good goals, a clean sheet and a well-managed result once we get to two or three goals up.

Jobe is due a screamer, so I'm backing him to get us going, maybe with his brother watching on again.

Jack Howe-Gingell predicts...

Score prediction: Stoke City 0 Sunderland 2

Sunderland's first goalscorer: Wilson Isidor

It was a strange game last time out, and I'm unsure if it was a good point or two points dropped. One thing is certain, however: we must get over these slow starts.

Stoke are hovering perilously close to the drop zone as we go into our second match with them in December. We'll know what they're about after only playing them on December 7, although I'm sure they'll feel more confident at home despite being winless since November.

I'm hoping that we can be more ruthless in front of goal. I'm delighted that Wilson Isidor continued his 'scoring of spectacular goals' gimmick at Blackburn, but we must start putting away more chances.

An injury to Chris Rigg poses a selection dilemma and I wonder whether Adil Aouchiche will be given an opportunity to impress. He's shown some glimmers during his recent cameos, and I do think a start is deserved, even if it's enforced.

I expect us to pile on the misery for Stoke and to come back with three points. I just hope we make light work of it, as the real test will arrive on New Year's Day.

Will Jones predicts...

Score prediction: Stoke City 1 Sunderland 3

Sunderland's first goalscorer: Wilson Isidor

After another poor first half, the Lads once again pulled off a great second half on Boxing Day, only to fall at the final hurdle.

Stoke have been very poor, and they're a side we should defeat if we pull out a great full ninety.

Even without Chris Rigg, I believe we have a great chance. Adil Aouchiche should (hopefully) have a good run out and we should, all things going well, finish the calendar year with all three points.

The Lads look tidy every time they come out for the second half, and I hope they do it again.

Matty Foster predicts...

Score prediction: Stoke City 1 Sunderland 2

Sunderland's first goalscorer: Wilson Isidor

It was a point as I anticipated at Ewood Park, but it was disappointing to concede so late.

Since we last played Stoke, they've drawn one and lost three, and the pressure has become too much for Pèlach to survive already.

I was tempted once again to back a draw, but with confidence low for the Potters, I expect us to bag all three this time.

Bomber Davies predicts...

Score prediction: Stoke City 0 Sunderland 2

Sunderland's first goalscorer: Eliezer Mayenda

By many metrics, Stoke are pretty awful at the moment, with just two wins from their last sixteen matches and loitering near the bottom of the home form table, so it would be just the game for Sunderland to go and lose!

However for me, not this time!

We've been playing badly and still been unlucky to not win matches, and it was Stoke that started this new undefeated run.

Mayenda will be desperate to make amends after his miss on Boxing Day, so I'm backing him to play the hero in a tough but comfortable three points.

Gary Winter predicts...

Score prediction: Stoke City 0 Sunderland 1

Sunderland's first goalscorer: Wilson Isidor

After a disappointing point away at Blackburn, I'm backing us to bounce back at Stoke.

Only one goal could be the difference, so it's Wilson Isidor to do it again!

Brett Lyons-Davis predicts...

Score prediction: Stoke City 0 Sunderland 2

Sunderland's first goalscorer: Wilson Isidor

Sunderland head to the stupidly-named Bet365 Stadium during that strange time between Christmas and New Year, when no one knows what day it is.

Dropping two points in the last couple of minutes was disappointing on Boxing Day, but a draw away to a fellow playoff rival wasn't the worst result in the world.

Our depleted midfield will miss Chris Rigg so it'll be interesting to see who Régis Le Bris brings in- I'd assume Adil Aouchiche, who's not been bad in the fleeting appearances he he's made.

Stoke have been poor this season and I can see them being tough to break down.

It could be one of those games where it depends on who scores first, but I do think the Lads will take the three points home to Wearside, and with Isidor getting some goal scoring boots for Christmas, he'll be grabbing the first.

Last game predictions

Only three of our writers predicted a draw against Blackburn, and they must've had very mixed feelings being correct after yet another very late equaliser was conceded.

Nobody went for Chris Rigg to open our account, either, so low scores on Boxing Day for our predictions collective.

Latest standings

Gary completes his ascendancy from bottom of our table to the top, with his draw prediction point getting him level with Malc.

Bomber breaks away from the peloton in third by the same single point, and there are now only four points between last and fourth place, with Matty being the other minor beneficiary on Boxing Day.

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 goalscorer is a valid call)
• Possible deductions for being lazy and not submitting on time = yellow card warning, then a two point deduction.