Sunderland v Manchester United: Will Bruce get the better of his old boss?
Posted by Colin Illingworth at 08:35 AM in Colin Illingworth, Manchester United, Predictions, Premier League, Sunderland | Permalink
A lot of talk this week has been about whether Manchester United’s fiercest rivals Liverpool will roll over for leaders Chelsea at Anfield, in order to cost them the title, but the same slur has been attributed to former United defender Steve Bruce and Sunderland.
Now I’m sure both Liverpool and Sunderland will give their visitors a tough game but the simple fact regarding this game is that Sunderland haven’t beaten the Red Devils at home in the league for almost 20 years so you’d have to fancy United for a win. However the Stadium of Light has been a bit of a fortress for the Black Cats this season.
Only Chelsea and Aston Villa have left Wearside this campaign with maximum points and Manchester United will have to be on top of their game if they are to capitalise on any slip up by the leaders at Anfield.
Sunderland almost left Old Trafford with a deserved win back in October before an unfortunate Anton Ferdinand put through his own net and Bruce will be hoping for a similar performance this afternoon, barring the own goal!
Fergie’s mate Sam Allardyce cost them crucial points at Blackburn Rovers, could Steve Bruce be about to deny his former boss the title? The majority of the Panel doesn’t think so.
Sunderland v Manchester United; Kick Off 4pm 02 May 2010
Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).
Dave Blackburn : 1 - 3
Chris Cox : 0 - 2
Graham Enwright : TBC
Sue Gardener : 1 - 2
Chris Goodwin : 1 - 2
Paul Grech (sqf) : TBC
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 0 - 2
Don McMahon : 1 - 2
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 2
Paul O'Meara (sqf) : TBC
Dave Nash : 0 - 2
Stephen Orford (sqf) : TBC
Tony Ratton : 1 - 1
Peter Rendle : 0 - 3
Dan Taylor : 1 - 2
Andy Wakeman : 1 - 0
Isaac Williams : TBC
Mark Williams : TBC
Panel Verdict
The Panel is expecting United to win.
Home: 1; Draw: 1; Away: 11; TBC: 7.
* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!
