Martin Wanless predicts…Score prediction: Sunderland 3 Forest 2 Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Habib Diarra Since we secured our Premier League position for next season it’s pretty clear we’ve let the shackles off a little — however on Sunday we looked pretty easy to break through at times and we need to make sure we don’t go too far the other way.That said, Forest will be coming intent on getting three points for survival, which should make for another entertaining game.I’m going for another high-scoring match, with the lads coming out on top. Just, and for Diarra to have an Enzo-esque redemption with the opener.‘The Champion’ Malc Dugdale predicts…Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Forest 0 Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Brian BrobbeyForest will be keen to get something and we’ll be keen to repay the fans for what was a thrilling but narrow loss at Villa Park.The visitors have a couple of late injury issues, but still carry a lot of goal threat with Chris Wood getting back up to speed post-injury and Morgan Gibbs-White coming off the back of a hat trick.I do think that given the return from injury of Dan Ballard and to full fitness of Omar Alderete (one player to have almost beaten Villa despite being a bit unwell last weekend), we’ll have enough to keep a clean sheet.Brobbey to resume normal service, and hopefully a goal for Diarra to quickly quash the memories of what could’ve been in Brum. 2-0 under the lights, and back on track for Europe.
Easy, this!Jack Howe-Gingell predicts…Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Forest 1 Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Brian BrobbeyAfter a highly entertaining albeit disappointing defeat at Villa, we meet another opponent fighting at the opposite end.Forest have been poor in the league this season but have managed to get a bit of daylight between themselves and the bottom three, as well as going unbeaten in their last five games. They’ll be looking to get themselves safe, and will be no pushovers.I think the main man to watch a has to be Morgan Gibbs-White, fresh off his first ever hat trick. Handle him and I think it’ll be an another home victory for us.I was delighted to see Chris Rigg score his first goal last time — a deserved reward for his performances over the last few matches and that reminded of us of the gem we have.Hopefully a big Friday night crowd will roar us on to a win, and start the weekend right.Will Jones predicts…Score prediction: Sunderland 3 Forest 2 Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Brian BrobbeyFriday night under the lights…proper game, this.Forest without Callum Hudson-Odoi is a boost and takes a bit of pace and threat out of their side, but they’ll still come and have a go.
It feels like one that could be open. We’ll create chances at home and if it turns into a bit of a scrap, that suits us.Brobbey to get us going, goals at both ends, a bit of chaos, and we edge it.Keep the dream alive!Matty Foster predicts…Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Forest 2 Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Enzo Le FéeI was proud of our performance against Villa, as it showed that there’s still fight in this side regardless of safety, and I think the fightback and the manner of the defeat will spur the Lads on for tonight’s game.We face a Forest side that’ve put some breathing space between themselves and Spurs, but aren’t completely out of the woods (pun intended).They also have a Europa League semi-final to contend with but I’m sure their Premier League status takes priority.It’s hard to gauge how this goes, but with Forest going into it five unbeaten in the league, I’ll back an entertaining draw.Anthony Gair predicts…Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Forest 1 Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Chris RiggRight, lads.
Birthday today, Forest at home, lights on. If I could script the fixture list myself, we’d play this game every year until the end of time.They’ve had four managers since September. We’ve had one.
They win. That’s the whole preview, really.The only thing I like about Forest is Brian Clough — a God of a man who also happened to play for us and had his knee done at Roker Park. Small world.
Sentiment stops at the door.Rigg to open the scoring. No logic; just pure gut instinct. 2-1 to the Lads, the Stadium of Light goes ‘pop’, and that’s the best birthday a Mackem could ask for. Haway!Gary Winter predicts…Score prediction: Sunderland 1 Forest 0 Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Brian BrobbeyIt was so very nearly an extraordinary turnaround against a very good Aston Villa side last weekend.
We played well and never gave up, but gifted some sloppy goals early in each half. We were an instance away from sitting in sixth and it was gut-wrenching, but that said, we have a chance to get back on track and if we’re to be in with a shout of a European spot on the final day, this feels like a must-win.We’re coming up against a recently in-form Nottingham Forest though, who are fighting for survival in the league and also for a European trophy. It’s just the one defeat in their last nine games f