Last time out...

Lincoln’s late goal last week was a blow to a couple of the lads who were sitting pretty going into injury time – however that goal gave Jack a perfect score prediction. No one picked Dan Neil to net first for the lads, and Phil was our first points deduction of the season – missing the deadline and being deducted 2 points for his troubles!

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Current standings...

A three point haul for Jack drew him level with Will at the top of the league, while Phil’s two point deduction had some serious consequences!

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How the points are awarded...

Just a quick reminder on how we allocate points to our match-by-match predictions:

• Correct score = 3 points
• Correct outcome (but not correct score) = 1 point
• Correct first Sunderland goalscorer = 1 point
• Possible deductions for being lazy and not submitting = 2 points deducted!

We also have our League One predictions here that went out on the site before the season began. We’ll keep an eye on these as we go along because, at the end of the season, this will come back into play when each correctly placed side adds five points to that person’s tally.

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This week’s predictions...

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Explain yourself...

Matthew Foster says...

Sunderland 2-1 Manchester United U21s

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Alex Pritchard

So two Pizza Trophy games off the bat, and this time we face Man Utd’s young’uns.

I suspect we’ll field a side similar to the one that beat Lincoln, and can see a similar scoreline too.

I don’t think this will be as comfortable as before, but I’m hoping Pritchard opens his account as we edge out, and potentially edge through, to the next round with a game to spare.

Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images

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Jack Howe-Gingell says...

Sunderland 1-0 Manchester United U21s

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Aiden O’Brien

Another Papa John’s outing with a likely second string consisting of mostly our youth players.

An interesting facet of this match is the potential return of Joe Hugill who was sold for a pittance under the Donald regime. He’s well thought of at Man United and may provide some extra intrigue.

It’s difficult to a pick a scorer as I’m unsure what the team will be, so will just blindly pick O’Brien as I expect he will start up front.

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Phil Butler says...

Sunderland 2-1 Manchester United U21s

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Aiden O’Brien

I think this will be a closer game than many expect, since it will essentially be a match up between two youth sides.

However, Sunderland do have a couple of more senior players to add their squad and one if those men, Aiden O’Brien, can hopefully carry the Lads to another win.

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Will Jones says...

Sunderland 3-1 Manchester United U21s

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Will Harris

Another game for the youngsters to show the philosophy is kicking on nicely and one we can be proud of.

I hope we do not pick up any first team injuries and maybe even see Arby off the bench? Who knows.

Will be nice to know we are another game down of this cup and still have a full squad for the weekend.

Photo by Will Matthews/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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Martin Wanless says...

Sunderland 3-2 Manchester United U21s

Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Ellis Taylor

Lee Johnson indicated he’d be taking a fine rather than adhering to the selection criteria for this game, so it looks like a very young side for us tonight. The lads did well last week at Lincoln, however, and it is another good opportunity for seniors such as Alex Pritchard to get into real fitness and form. I backed Ellis Taylor to notch the first last week, and while that didn’t come off I’m holding firm!

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