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Martin Wanless predicts...
Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Huddersfield Town 1
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Wilson Isidor
After Saturday’s defeat, a number of the Lads will be looking to stake a claim for a place in Saturday’s team tonight, so I’m hoping we see a strong display.
Wilson Isidor, Marc Guiu, Enzo Le Fée, and our new defensive signings will all come into the conversation ahead of the weekend, so hopefully we’ll get a good performance to give us all more confidence in the depth of quality we have in the squad.
I’m going for Wilson to get the first goal in a tight win.
Sheffield United v Sunderland - Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final
Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images
‘The Champion’ Malc Dugdale predicts...
Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Huddersfield Town 0
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Enzo Le Fée
The visit to Turf Moor was a bit of a downer after the euphoria of a 3-0 opener at home, but tonight we have a chance to test the depth and hunger of the squad, to see if anyone thinks they could have done better as a member of the starting eleven.
As he’s one of the best players in our whole squad in my view, I think Enzo will both start the game and could run the show.
It’ll be physical, will likely lack quality, and will be nothing like the Premier League in many ways, but Le Fée’s ability will shine, and he’ll want to show the gaffer he deserves more minutes in the best league in the world.
Solid but safe 2-0 for me. We go back to focusing on the Brentford game, and Huddersfield go back to focusing on the League One top two. Simple as that.
Sunderland v Sevilla - Pre-Season Friendly
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Jack Howe-Gingell predicts...
Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Huddersfield Town 1
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Marc Guiu
It was disappointing at the weekend and this will be an opportunity for the second string to show they may have something to offer the first team.
I wonder if there may be possible starts for Arthur Masuaku, Nordi Mukiele and Guiu — which will add a bit of intrigue to the tie.
Huddersfield will no doubt be up for it, so it should make for an entertaining watch.
It’d be nice to win comfortably but I expect it’ll be a bit more laboured than that, although we should be winning it, even if the league is the clear priority.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 9: In this image released on August 10, 2025, Arthur Masuaku poses for pictures after signing for Sunderland AFC on a two year deal at The Academy of Light on August 9, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 9: In this image released on August 10, 2025, Arthur Masuaku poses for pictures after signing for Sunderland AFC on a two year deal at The Academy of Light on August 9, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Will Jones predicts...
Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Huddersfield Town 0
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Chris Rigg
After the frustration of Saturday, this one feels like a timely reset.
A cup tie at home, under the lights, with a chance for the fringe lads and young guns to show what they’re about. We’ll see a much-changed eleven, but that doesn’t mean weakened — far from it.
The depth we’ve built this summer means we can rotate and still field a side that should have too much for Huddersfield.
They’ve started well in League One and they’ll fancy an upset, especially if we’re not at it, but I think the hunger from our lads will be the difference.
Rigg has always been knocking on the door, and I reckon he’ll take his chance tonight, ghosting into the box and finishing with that calmness beyond his years.
It won’t be a walkover, but I’m backing us to control the game and get the job done. A clean sheet, a couple of goals, and a few selection headaches for Saturday…exactly what we need.
Sheffield United v Sunderland - Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final
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Matty Foster predicts...
Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Huddersfield Town 1
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Marc Guiu
After Saturday’s disappointing result, we have a welcome distraction in the Carabao Cup and this is a perfect opportunity to rotate and give those on the fringes a proper run out.
Only two seasons ago, this was a Championship fixture, but we face a third-tier Huddersfield tonight.
They’ve started promisingly with four wins out of five and will be eager to claim a Premier League scalp, so we need to do everything to avoid this banana skin.
Hopefully we’ll see some strong performances across the board and give Regis Le Bris something to think about.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 3: Head coach Regis Le Bris poses at the Stadium of Light after he signs a contract extension on August 3, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 3: Head coach Regis Le Bris poses at the Stadium of Light after he signs a contract extension on August 3, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Anthony Gair predicts...
Score prediction: Burnley 1 Sunderland 1 (Sunderland win after penalties)
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Chris Rigg
Huddersfield are flying in League One and are on the crest of a wave.
I doubt they’re going to field an understrength squad like ours, as we’ll field a completely unrecognisable first team, potentially with the main first teamers from last season instead.
I would expect Dan Neil, Chris Rigg, and Wilson Isidor to start this one. Are they match fit? I doubt it. Are they capable of winning? Of course they are!
My prediction is Sunderland 1-1 Huddersfield after full time, and for us to progress on penalties.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Sunderland player Chris Rigg reacts during the pre-season friendly match between Sunderland and Rayo Vallecano at Stadium of Light on August 10, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Sunderland player Chris Rigg reacts during the pre-season friendly match between Sunderland and Rayo Vallecano at Stadium of Light on August 10, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Stu Forster/Getty Images
Gary Winter predicts...
Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Huddersfield Town 0
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Marc Guiu
Nothing to gain as far as results are concerned in this one, but it’s the first opportunity for competitive minutes for those who have yet to feature this season.
For those players who want to start a league match, this game likely doesn’t change the manager’s thinking much, but they’ll need to shine to get next in line.
Huddersfield have made a great start to their League One campaign, winning four out of the first five, so I wonder if they’ll make a few changes to focus on the league?
I suspect this might be the case, so I’ve gone for a comfortable scoreline. Things never are that simple for us, but if Enzo Le Fée, Dan Neil, Chris Rigg, etc can’t turn it on in this one, they can’t complain about not starting in the Premier League.
Hopefully we get a good look at Guiu in action. I’ll back him to get the first goal tonight.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 6: Marc Guiu poses for pictures at The Academy of Light after joining Sunderland on a season long loan on August 6, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 6: Marc Guiu poses for pictures at The Academy of Light after joining Sunderland on a season long loan on August 6, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Brett Lyons-Davis predicts...
Score prediction: Sunderland 3 Huddersfield Town 0
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Marc Guiu
We’ll see a complete change of eleven, and after Saturday’s disappointing result, I think the lads stepping in will be out to prove a point and get themselves within a shout for the game against Brentford in a few days.
In previous years, we’ve played a weakened side and got knocked out, and I can see Huddersfield doing this as they would rather get out of League One than have a cup run.
However, our squad should be far too strong for the Terriers.
Chelsea loanee Guiu got some minutes on Saturday and I fancy him to get us up and running in what should be a routine victory.
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: Lee Grant, Manager of Huddersfield Town reacts during the Carabao Cup first round match between Huddersfield Town and Leicester City at John Smith’s Stadium on August 13, 2025 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: Lee Grant, Manager of Huddersfield Town reacts during the Carabao Cup first round match between Huddersfield Town and Leicester City at John Smith’s Stadium on August 13, 2025 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
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Last time out…
Turf Moor ended up being a reality check for the Lads and a bitter reminder that in any league, you can’t underperform away from home and expect something, with the end result a 2-0 away defeat.
If Eliezer Mayenda had converted that chance in the first ten minutes, from the header which sent Dan Ballard to the treatment room, things may have been very different. Similarly, if Chemsdine Talbi had curled his shot over and around the goalkeeper when he was through one on one rather than just wide of the upright, Turf Moor would’ve been a very different place to play — after their first result and then going behind to us.
But, it wasn’t to be and everyone who played well at home dipped in form for our first away trip. Chances were not taken by us and to be fair to Burnley, they created little more but were more clinical and very resolute at the back.
You probably learn more about this squad from that game than anyone did at home to West Ham, so we learn and move on.
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Eliezer Mayenda of Sunderland during the Premier League match between Burnley and Sunderland at Turf Moor on August 23, 2025 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Eliezer Mayenda of Sunderland during the Premier League match between Burnley and Sunderland at Turf Moor on August 23, 2025 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
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Last game predictions
The Roker Report lads all went for wins or draws at Turf Moor, which would’ve preserved our unbeaten run, but it wasn’t to be.
Brett continued with his stock prediction and was joined in his rampant optimism by our Gair the Grafter, but this time, they both lost out. We’ll doubtless continue to see the RR boys back the Lads for some massive wins, and we have to hope they’re right more often than not.
The boys are all going for a win this evening, with only one saying we may need a shootout to get there. Huddersfield got rid of Leicester on penalties so with the practice levels on their side, maybe the best thing is to get this done in ninety minutes.
Initial Prediction Standings
Brett stays of the view we should “stop the count” and still tops the table with his three-pointer from the Hammers’ win.
No points for any of the lads post-Burnley, so Matty remains on 0 from 2, but with a very long way to go.
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.
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