Sunderland will be looking to secure back-to-back wins in the Premier League to lift themselves out of the relegation zone when they face Stoke City later tonight.
Meanwhile, the Potters are eyeing their third victory on the bounce following their triumph over Southampton last week.
Sam Allardyce’s men earned a vital win in their fight against relegation from the top-flight by defeating Crystal Palace 1-0 at Selhurst, Park thanks to Jermain Defoe’s 80th-minute winner. The victory was Sunderland’s second of the season and moved them into 18th place in the table, just one point adrift of rivals Newcastle United and out of the bottom three.
On the other hand, Stoke City’s season has been much more positive as of late. The Potters had a slow start to their campaign and were forced to wait until late September to record their first win when they defeated Bournemouth at the Britannia Stadium. Pressure had been growing on Mark Hughes during the club’s six-game winless run in the top-flight, but Stoke have well and truly turned the corner and are now among the mid-table after recording four wins and a draw in their last six games.
Key Battle – Jermaine Defoe vs Bojan
Despite Jermaine Defoe’s age, he still provides his side something that Sunderland have been lacking over the last few seasons. That is the ability to put the ball in the back of the net. Although he has not set the world alight this time around, his influence on the Black Cats cannot be questioned as his tally of four goals from eight starts makes him a very reliable and consistent performer.
His role come this weekend’s game will be pivotal to Big Sam claiming another impressive victory for his side and jumping Sunderland outside the relegation spots.
In contrast, Stoke’s Bojan also has not set the world alight this season with injuries limiting his time on the pitch, as he makes his way back to playing his best football again that was on show last season. Though, when he does manage to get on the park he usually makes his presence well known, playing in the heart of Stoke City’s attack. His ability to operate in all of the attacking channels for his side, using his great technical ability with the ball and his trickery and burst of pace, makes him a tormenting opponent to deal with.
He will hope to add to his current three goals this season as his side hopes to notch up another win and move closer to the top-half of the table.
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Team News
Sunderland will be boosted by the fact that Defoe’s ankle injury was not as serious as first feared, which should allow him to start against the Potters. Allardyce will be without defender Billy Jones for the clash after he picked up his fifth booking of the season against Palace, with DeAndre Yedlin likely to replace him at right wing-back.
Fabio Borini could also return to action for the Black Cats, after missing the trip to Selhurst Park due to an ankle problem.
At the other end, Stoke could be without defender Philipp Wollscheid for the clash against Allardyce’s team due to a pelvic injury. Geoff Cameron and Marc Wilson are in line to replace the German in the Potters’ back four. Xherdan Shaqiri has been struggling with a hamstring injury but he should be able to play at the Stadium of Light, while Ibrahim Afellay and Diouf should push for a starting berth after being left on the bench during the win over Southampton.
Head-to-head
Over the course of the history the sides have met 148 times, with Sunderland edging the contests with 64 wins and Stoke recording 45, while 37 of the matches have ended in draws.
Previous Meeting
In the last meeting between the sides, the match ended in a 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium as Charlie Adam cancelled out Connor Wickham’s strike in the first minute to earn the Potters a share of the spoils. However, Sunderland claimed a 3-1 win in their last match at the Stadium of Light as Fletcher notched a brace and Wickham got on the score sheet to guide the Black Cats to the three points.
Prediction
Two teams that have hit a bit of a stride in the last couple weeks, but the confidence among Allardyce’s team will be enough for them to escape with some form of reward.
Sunderland 0 v Stoke City 0
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