After managing to climb out of the bottom three in their last game, Sunderland will now be looking to pull off a win in the Potteries that will see the club take another step closer to safety.
On paper you would think that the Black Cats are meeting Stoke at just the right time, they have a side that is suffering far more than their fair share of injuries at the moment, they have a long injury list that includes England keeper Jack Butland, and results have not been going their way since he was sidelined.
Stoke have neen without their number one for four games now and the best that they have been able to manage in that time is a 2-2 draw at home to Swansea, and even then they let a two goal lead slip. Their last three games have seen the Potters not only on the losing side, but they have conceded four goals in the three games against Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City, hitting back just the one goal which came against the Merseyside outfit.
Five draws in the last seven games and a win against Norwich has seen Sunderland manage to claw their way out of the bottom three at the expense of Norwich City.
A 0-0 draw last time out at home to Arsenal was a good result, but their play arguably deserved better.
If the Black Cats can pull off a win today, their next two games are at home to Chelsea and Everton before finishing the season at Watford.
Its tight at the bottom, but we have to hope the lads can do it.
Vital Quotes:
Sam Allardyce: ‘ I have known Mark (Hughes) for years and I have never known him take it easy on his players, ever.
‘For us, it’s trying to achieve as many wins as we can as quickly as we can and not have to rely on the last game now, if we possibly can.’
Stoke City Team News:
Jakob Haugaard will start in goal for Stoke with Shay Given, understudy for the injured Jack Butland, sidelined with the groin problem that forced him off at Manchester City last weekend.
Leading scorer Marko Arnautovic also limped off last weekend with a groin injury and will undergo a late fitness test, but fellow forward Jon Walters could return for the first time since having a knee operation. Xherdan Shaqiri (hamstring) has also returned to training, while Erik Pieters is available after suspension.
Player to watch: Jonathan Walters
A crowd favourite at Stoke, if he plays there is always a danger of him coming up with an important goal, he has a bit of a knack for it.
Sunderland Team News:
Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has a full squad to choose from after Jeremain Lens shook off the virus which prevented his participation against Arsenal last weekend.
Full-back DeAndre Yedlin, who was a doubt for the 0-0 draw with the Gunners because of an ankle problem, got through the 90 minutes with no ill effects.
Player to watch: Jermain Defoe
In a determined mood to add more goals to his tally before the season is out. Stoke’s porous defence will give him that chance.
Match Facts & Stats
From OPTA
Sunderland have lost just one of their last nine Premier League meetings with Stoke (W5 D3 L1).
Stoke have won five and lost only one of their last eight league meetings with Sunderland at home (W5 D2 L1).
The Black Cats have failed to score in four of their last seven away league trips to Stoke, netting just four goals in total in this period.
Stoke have lost their last three Premier League matches – they haven`t lost four in a row since February 2012.
Stoke`s last three Premier League games have seen them concede 12 goals and score just once.
Sunderland have kept a clean sheet in three of their last four Premier League games, including in each of their last two. They haven`t kept three in a row in the top-flight since May 2015.
However, the Black Cats have also failed to score in three of their last four Premier League matches.
Sunderland have allowed their opponents a league-high 200 shots on target in the Premier League this season.
Jermain Defoe is enjoying his best goalscoring season in the Premier League (13 goals) since 2009-10 at Tottenham Hotspur (18 goals). This is his highest tally of away goals in a single Premier League season, however (10 goals).
Jack Butland saved 74% of shots this season in the Premier League prior to his injury, but his replacements Shay Given and Jakob Haugaard have saved just 33% of shots combined.
Ref Watch:
Referee: Craig Pawson.
Assistant Referees: Michael Mullarkey, Harry Lennard.
Fourth Official: Roger East.
Match Prediction:
Got to go for a 2-1 win for Sunderland.
Next Fixtures:
Sat 07 May 2016
Sunderland v Chelsea
Weds 11 May 2016
Sunderland v Everton
Sun 15 May 2016
Watford v Sunderland.
