Sunderland take on Watford in their next outing, in a game between two early top six contenders in the Championship.
Sunderland sit in 2nd place of the Championship table after their impressive 1-0 win vs Middlesbrough over the weekend, compared to Watford in 8th.
After the first few games of the season, it was Watford and Sunderland in the top two places. But the Hornets are now winless in their last four games in all competitions, having lost 2-1 vs Manchester City in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
In their last Championship outing, Watford were thumped 4-1 away against Norwich City. Sunderland meanwhile bounced back from that surprise 3-2 defeat vs Plymouth Argyle with a positive win at the Stadium of Light, courtesy of a Chris Rigg back-heel goal.
Regis Le Bris‘ side are a point behind current league leaders West Brom who head to Sheffield Wednesday this weekend.
- READ MORE: Man United tempted to make January swoop for Sunderland star who’s a perfect fit for Erik ten Hag
Sam Parkin’s Watford vs Sunderland score prediction
With Sunderland having bounced back from that Plymouth defeat, it shows that Le Bris and his team are serious, early contenders in the Championship.
And now they have to back that up and get back on a run of form so that the can try and pull away in the top two. But their last trip to Vicarage Road wasn’t a successful one.
Sunderland beat Watford 2-0 at home but lost 1-0 away from home at the end of April. That said, Sunderland in April compared to now are two wildly different teams, despite being largely the same first-team squad.
And giving his prediction for the game on Saturday, EFL pundit Sam Parkin has predicted a Black Cats win, saying on the Championship Check-In podcast: “They were well beaten at Norwich. Just one point from their last three I think.
“Sunderland have been really punished for that one bad 45 minutes of football at Argyle, so I wouldn’t expect lightning to strike twice away from home.
“Current form, got to go with Sunderland. I will go for a 2-0 away win.”
- READ MORE: Sunderland now facing race against the clock which could cost Kyril Louis-Dreyfus millions
Lightning can certainly strike twice for Sunderland on the road
Whilst Le Bris and his side will have learned a whole lot about each other in these early stages of the season, especially after losing and then bouncing back, there’s still a huge way to go this season.
In a way, carrying on from a positive win at home with a tricky away game is harder than initially bouncing back, as Sunderland have now reaffirmed their strength and become the favourites in most games.
Watford have shown some good signs this season but have since lost their way, and they’ll no doubt expect another testing match after their midweek clash vs Man City.
And that game means that Sunderland have a few days rest on the Hornets which can only be a benefit with Le Bris likely to field the same, or close to the same starting XI as he did vs Middlesbrough.
Kick off is at 3pm on Saturday.