“Will Sunderland Finally Get Revenge? EFL Pundits Weigh In on the High-Stakes Showdown Against Middlesbrough!”
Sunderland will host Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, with EFL pundits David Prutton and Sam Parkin predicting a draw for the lunchtime match.
Sunderland’s unbeaten start to the season ended last week with a 3-2 loss to Plymouth Argyle, leaving them second in the table after five matches. Middlesbrough, meanwhile, is currently in tenth place, having recorded two wins, two draws, and one loss. Their latest Championship match ended in a 1-1 draw against Preston North End.
Despite the differing performances so far, Prutton believes the two North East rivals will share the points this weekend. On the Essential EFL podcast, he reflected on Sunderland’s recent disappointment and expressed optimism for Saturday’s match, saying, “It was a great game against Plymouth. Sunderland fans traveled a long way only to see a last-minute winner for the home side. They’ll want to make amends on Saturday.”
Prutton noted that Middlesbrough is still developing under Michael Carrick but has the potential to replicate their previous playoff success. He expects an exciting match, adding, “It should be a packed Stadium of Light, and I predict a 2-2 draw.”
Parkin echoed Prutton’s sentiment on the Championship Check-In podcast, suggesting a draw is likely. He acknowledged Boro’s solid start, having lost just once, while Sunderland seeks to bounce back from their first defeat.
Sunderland’s recent record against Middlesbrough is less than stellar, with only one win in their last ten meetings since 2012. That victory came last January, when Ross Stewart and Amad Diallo secured a 2-0 win.
