Sunderland v Manchester United: Can the Black Cats deny the Red Devils their title shot?
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is pleading on QPR boss Mark Hughes to do him a favour this afternoon and beat Manchester City. The wily old Scot is assuming that United can do the business at the Stadum of Light, but that will not have gone down too well with the Sunderland fans, players or staff.
Losing the title on goal difference has always been Sir Alex's worst nightmare. But Sunderland could well prevent that from happening by beating the 19-time league champions on Wearside.
Sunderland have failed to win in their last eight league outings but you wouldn't write-off Martin O'Neill's chances of ending the season on a high. The former Celtic and Villa coach has the ability to squeeze the last grain of effort out of players and they will be keen to give their long-suffering fans something to remember while they are soaking up the rays on their holidays.
Manchester United have been having nightmares about that game against Everton. How did they lose two goals in 10 minutes at home to draw 4-4? Sir Alex says that was the game that cost them, but Sunderland could also deny them all three points. Although the Black Cats' recent record against United is terrible. Their one and only league success against United came in the Premier League came in 1997, with John Mullin scoring the winner.
United have been in this position before and know how to deal with the pressure. But this Sunderland side is the same one that beat Manchester City 1-0 earlier this season. Can the Black Cats complete a Manchester double? Our pundits are not convinced.
Sunderland v Manchester United; Kick Off 3pm May 13 2012
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Norwich City |
Sue Read |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
QPR |
Arjun Swaminathan |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Tottenham |
Mike Richards |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Swansea |
Jim White |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
1 |
V |
5 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Writer |
Phil Bundy |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Matt Turner |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Villa fan |
Lynette Ranson |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Blackpool fan |
Phil Trow |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Fulham fan |
Russell Goldman |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
0 |
V |
2 |
Panel Verdict
United are expected to win their game, but will it be enough to clinch the title?
Home: 4; Draw: 9; Away: 21. TBA 2
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear your views.
