Potters face Sunderland in mid-table clash.Two teams that are just as unlikely to make an assault on the top six of the Premier League or flirt with relegation, meet at the Britannia Stadium in what could be a battle of the big strikers. Steven Fletcher has been involved in every goal Sunderland have scored this season, while beanpole Peter Crouch has started the campaign in decent nick for Tony Pulis’ men.
Check-in to Stoke City v Sunderland
Venue Britannia Stadium, Saturday 3pm
Tickets Sold out
Last season Stoke 0 Sunderland 1
Referee Mark Halsey
This season’s matches 3 Y5, R2, 2.33 cards per game
Odds Stoke 10-11 Sunderland 3-1 Draw 12-5
CaughtOffside Predicted Line-Up
STAT ATTACK
Head-to-head
Sunderland lost their first three Premier League games at the Britannia Stadium, but ended that run with a 1-0 win there on 4 February this year.
The last goalless draw between the sides on Stoke turf came on 24 September 1977 in a Division Two game.
Sunderland have not won away from home in the top flight since their 1-0 victory at Stoke in February.
Stoke have failed to score in five of their past seven top-flight games with Sunderland.
Stoke City
Stoke are unbeaten in their last 10 league games at the Britannia Stadium (W4, D6). It is their best top-flight run since 1973-74.
Their last home defeat in the league was the 1-0 loss by Sunderland on 4 February.
They have conceded just one goal at home this season – the best record in the Premier League.
The Potters have drawn nine of their last 14 Premier League matches (W1, D9, L4).
Stoke have scored just three goals from open play, fewer than any other team in the division.
Sunderland
The Black Cats have recorded just 12 shots on target in this season’s Premier League according to Opta (who don’t include blocked shots).
Opta stats also show that Martin O’Neill’s side registered only one effort on target in their last match – the fourth time that has happened this season. Indeed, Sunderland have managed the fewest shots on target (12) in the top flight so far this season.
Sunderland have won three of 21 league games (W3, D11, L7), and have drawn five of their seven matches this season.
The last Sunderland player other than Steven Fletcher to score a league goal was Phil Bardsley in their penultimate game last season.
The Black Cats have failed to win their last 11 away games in the Premier League (D6, L5). Their last victory on the road came at Stoke in February.
CaughtOffside prediction: Bore draw written all over it. 1-1.