Martin Wanless predicts…
Score prediction: Nottingham Forest 1 Sunderland 1
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Isidor
This is going to be a really interesting game, and one which will see a real battle of styles as Ange tries to cement his way of playing on a Forest squad that’s been built for something else entirely.
The optimist in me was initially going for a win – after all, Forest were in Spain on Wednesday night and there may be a hangover of sorts.
But regardless, a draw away at Forest will be an excellent result, and we’ll
have to be at our best to get anything. I’m going for a score draw, with Wilson bagging another.
‘The Champion’ Malc Dugdale predicts…
Score prediction: Nottingham Forest 1 Sunderland 2
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Le Fee
This will be a battle of wills today. Ange will want to turn around the recent Forest form, but will want to play his way with players who aren’t necessarily his first picks.
Regis will want to continue not losing, but will know that this is a chance to beat Forest away and that we should grab it. We can expect a side like this to be in the top eight come end of the season, and a win would help us stay very close to that collective, which would be a dream return to the top division for us.
Enzo is our penalty taker and I am hoping he will score from open play, but failing that we may get our first goal from the spot, maybe with a tired leg being left in on a tackle after the game in the week.
I’d take a draw, but a win would be awesome, and if we dont beat teams in form like this, then we can expect even tougher times against those in fine fettle.
Jack Howe-Gingell predicts…
Score prediction: Nottingham Forest 1 Sunderland 2
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Isidor
I’m excited for what could be a big test, against a Forest side who mixed it well last season and will be hoping to do the same again. Unlike last season, Forest have a European campaign to contend with and I’m optimistic that we can use that to our advantage, after their trip to Real Betis on Wednesday.
Forest have started slowly, with disappointing results against Burnley and West Ham, and similarly to Aston Villa, there is a touch of lethargy that we can get stuck into.
I think the overall fitness and drive of our lads will offer a massive boost, as we’ll give it everything and have speed in spades. Habib Diarra’s injury is a blow but we have lads ready to step in, and no one disappointed last time out despite Reinildo’s red card.
The red card offers an opportunity for someone else to come in, perhaps a first league start for Arthur Masuaku or Lutsharel Geertruida, but I’m confident these lads have the quality to step in.
Once on a time I’d have been concerned with some of Forest’s physicality, but we have shown this season that we are more likely to be the bullies, than the bullied, and I think that strength plus our work rate and pace will see us through.
Will Jones predicts…
Score prediction: Nottingham Forest 1 Sunderland 2
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Isidor
This feels like the kind of game that could quietly define our season. Forest are in a strange place with a new manager, patchy form, and a squad that’s still figuring itself out. Add in the midweek trip to Spain and you’ve got a side that might be just a touch leggy come Saturday.
We’ve had our own challenges, sure, but the grit shown against Villa and the flashes of quality throughout the side suggest we’re ready to take advantage. Reinildo’s suspension opens the door for a reshuffle, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Geertruida slot in and offer something different. But the real threat, once again, is Wilson Isidor. He’s got that swagger right now, and I’m backing him to get us off the mark, maybe a sharp finish after a turnover high up the pitch.
Forest will have spells, and I expect them to score, but I think our pace and fitness will tell in the final third. A proper away performance, a bit of needle, and three points that keep the momentum rolling.
Matty Foster predicts…
Score prediction: Nottingham Forest 1 Sunderland 1
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Alderete
Once again, I sat after Sunday’s game feeling really impressed with what I witnessed.
Even with a man’s disadvantage and going a goal down, we showed we have the grit to fight back.
Today’s game will be an interesting battle. Forest fans have been saying they’ve seen improvements under Ange in a matter of weeks.
They’ll be looking at this as a perfect opportunity to get Ange his first win.
But with a midweek trip to Spain, I’m hopeful of a little tiredness in the legs.
Once again, I’d be delighted with a point the road. Any more than that is a bonus.
Anthony Gair predicts…
Score prediction: N(T)ottingham Forest 0 Sunderland 2
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Xhaka
This is the game where we start to show the mainstream media (or just Sky) that we’re more than just also rans this season. Not only will we beat these, but we’ll do it comprehensively. I don’t even know why I’m so confident about the whole thing, but I just am. If we can go out and draw with Villa, then we can certainly do these in.
They’re on a dreadful run, with a gaffer who hasn’t got the backing of his players yet, and with half the club wondering what the hell they sacked Nuno for, I expect that to continue in our favour!
First scorer is going to be Granit Xhaka with a second half free kick.
Gary Winter predicts…
Score prediction: Nottingham Forest 1 Sunderland 1
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Isidor
We were outstanding at home to Aston Villa – the Lads showed quality, resilience, team spirit, amongst many other things. We will continue to be incredibly difficult to beat if those levels can be maintained.
Away games offer a quite different proposition though. I’m not entirely sure what to make of Nottingham Forest at this point. Their results have been fine, except for the 3-0 home loss to West Ham, which really sticks out. Ange Postecoglou has taken over the reigns since then though and, despite picking up a decent draw at Real Betis in mid-week, pressure already seems to be building, with Forest winless under him, which seems ridiculous.
It would be great to bag a first away victory in front of the Sky cameras this evening but I think it will end in a draw. Isidor is in form right now and I’ll take a punt on him getting our first goal away from home, likely from a counter attack.
Brett Lyons-Davis predicts…
Score prediction: Nottingham Forest 0 Sunderland 1
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Isidor
A decent point at home following a battling display despite giving Aston Villa a man advantage at the weekend. Should see the lads head to the City Ground in good spirits.
Midweek European trips will test Forests squad who have already replaced their gaffer and yet to see any new manager bounce and still only have one win this season.
I think this could be a great chance to get our first away win of the campaign with big Wilson packing his incredible home form into his travel bag and getting the lads off the mark.
Last time out…
Despite losing a man in the first half against Villa, the boys showed some real resilience and grit to take a share of the points at home last weekend.
When we went a man down and then a goal down, we could easily have buckled, but we went one better than many expected, and found an equaliser with a man less, as well as being unfortunate with one shot off the bar from Alderete’s head.
Today we face another team who aren’t anywhere near where they want to be. The City Ground is an old school stadium and the fans will want to see change from Ange and the Garibaldi boys. It’s our job to spoil the party for at least one game longer.
Last game predictions
Only Matty and Gary went for a draw, and it has to be said that if the lads didn’t lose a man early on then we may well have won that, and made the other six lads who backed a victory the happy ones.
Nobody went for Wilson to carry on his scoring run at this level, and it will come down to who Regis fancies today for us to see whether that can carry on.
Predictions Table and Standings
Jack stays top before todays late kick off, and with a correction for Gary from last week, he and two others now share second place.
Matty has last season’s champ for company at the bottom, but with only 3 points between last and top, the early table can change very quickly and generally will.
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 = a two-point deduction.
