http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19500230 Sunderland v Liverpool (17:30 BST) It goes from bad to worse for Liverpool because this is a fixture they didn't want, with Sunderland playing at home for the first time in the Premier League this season. Midfielder Adam Johnson, if he is fit, and striker Steve Fletcher could be making their home league debuts. There will be a big crowd and a great atmosphere against a Liverpool side who, while they look good on the eye, lack a cutting edge. While letting Liverpool have the ball, Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill's team will be organised and competitive. I think they have a realistic chance of being in the top eight this season. O'Neill is a good manager and is able to get that little bit extra out of his players. Before the season started everyone knew Liverpool needed one, if not two, more strikers. So what they've done is loan out one of their forwards in Andy Carroll! They are in even worse shape now than they were at the end of last season. They've got nice footballers but unless Luis Suarez scores I don't know where the goals are coming form. You can play all the nice pretty, tiki-taka possession football you want but if you are not scoring you are not winning. Prediction: 2-1 I'll go bet my house on a pool win then.... on a serious note, good to see the pundits are finally starting to recognise us as a decent team
For the first time as an SAFC fan - and it's a lot of years... This is a game v Liverpool that is ours to lose. I am confident, its time to kick on. Liverpool are yesterday's men. We are at home. We should beat them. x
Predictions always remind me of Brian Clough when asked for his opinion of an upcoming match. His view was , " On paper we should beat them , but unfortunately we're playing them on grass ". Old Big 'Ead had a way of summing it up perfectly.
