Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers: Can Kean spoil O'Neill's debut?
Martin O'Neill officially makes his return to the Premier League this afternoon but can under-fire Blackburn boss Steve Kean really spoil the party?
Blackburn head north on the back of a Four-midable display against Swansea last weekend. Former Everton striker Yakubu was served a four-star meal by his team-mates and he polished off it with glee. Unfortunately, Rovers are still searching for their first win on the road this season and, with the Sunderland fans expected to be in good voice to welcome O'Neill to the club, they could find this tough going.
Sunderland have been on a dreadful run as of late and you just knew that as soon as Seb Larsson had his penalty saved against Wolves last Sunday that the home side would go on to win the game. O'Neill has admitted that confidence is low on Wearside but he is a great motivator and everyone expects to see a positive reacion from the Black Cats.
Blackburn haven't won at the Stadium of Light in the league since 2007, when David Bentley and Roque Santa Cruz were on target in a 2-1 win. Last season Sunderland ran riot, sending the visitors packing with a 3-0 defeat. But who will come out on top today? The pundits seem to believe that the O'Neill factor will guarantee three points for the hosts.
Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers; Kick Off 3pm December 1.30pm 2011
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Norwich City |
Sue Read |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
QPR |
Arjun Swaminathan |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Tottenham |
Mike Richards |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Swansea |
Jim White |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
0 |
V |
0 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
2 |
V |
3 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Phil Bundy |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Matt Turner |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa fan |
Lynette Ranson |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Blackpool fan |
Phil Trow |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Fulham fan |
Russell Goldman |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
Panel Verdict
Martin O'Neill is tipped to get his Sunderland career off to a winning start.
Home: 22; Draw: 7; Away: 4. TBC 3
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
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