Saturday 14th January 2016 Kickoff: 1500hrs Sunderland v Stoke City Football – England – Premier League Following the FA Cup involvement last weekend, Sunderland and Stoke return to league duty this Saturday as they two face off against each other at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats remain entrenched in the relegation battle – currently a point off safety – whilst Stoke sit firmly in mid table with the hope of another top 10 finish likely to be the best they can look for.
It has been a treacherous season for Sunderland thus far which probably should not come as any surprise considering their recent history and constant flirtation with relegation. The arrival of David Moyes in the summer was greeted with some positivity in the hope that he could provide security and begin planning for a better future. However, the lack of money available to the new man has proved telling and being unable to strengthen the squad could well be their downfall. With just 15 points after 20 games they are third bottom, although within touching distance of at least the two sides immediately above them in Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough. Current form is a concern, however, and simply needs to be improved if they are to retain their Premier League status. One win in their last six is not the type of run that will see them to safety and whilst a battling point earned against Liverpool in their last league game gives them something to build on, it will mean little if they are unable to beat Stoke this weekend.
Despite fielding a near full strength team against Wolves in the FA Cup last weekend, Mark Hughes’ men suffered a minor shock as they lost 2-0 to the Championship outfit. It means that finishing as high in the league as possible is Stoke’s only ambition between now and the end of the season which, considering they are six points off seventh, is quite underwhelming for supporters so early in the season. Stoke, too, come into the this one on the back of a poor run of form just like Sunderland. The 2-0 win over Watford last midweek is their only victory in their last six but it should be highlighted that they have played Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal in that time. Nevertheless, confidence is clearly not as high as it has been earlier in the season and they have to get back to the sort of form that seen them win five out of seven between October and November. A repeat of the 2-0 win over this opponent was the start of that run and Hughes will be hoping for a similar outcome on Saturday.
Sunderland v Stoke City Betting Tips
It’s an interesting match-up on Saturday as it pits two former team mates against each other, both of whom are leading the line for their respective teams. Jermaine Defoe and Peter Crouch starred together for Portsmouth and Tottenham in the past but both will be looking to find the way to goal in order to help their current clubs to victory. Defoe has been excellent all season long for Sunderland and has notched 11 in the league whilst Crouch’s reemergence in the Stoke team has seen him score in consecutive league games.
Sunderland have certainly made improvements at home over the last couple of months and their only defeat at the Stadium of Light in their last six came against leaders Chelsea just before Christmas. It’s turning some of the draws into wins that’s required, though. Stoke have lost their last three on the road but they have been at three of the top four. Before that they had went unbeaten in four so know how to pick up points on their travels. Four of their last five have seen both teams to score whilst that bet would also have landed in seven of Sunderland’s 10 home games – that’s the way to go on this occasion, too.
Both teams to score 5/6 @ Bwin
