The International break might have given Stoke City the breathing space that they needed in the run up to this fixture. City have been in a woeful run of form of late and the performance at the Liberty Stadium a fortnight ago encapsulates all that has been going wrong. Though Stoke managed to find three goals at a stadium where they`re hard to come by, the game ended on a sour note after shipping three goals in the second half and being lucky to escape with a point.
Sunderland went into the International break on the back of their annual 1-0 home win over Manchester City. Gus Poyet`s arrival has brought with it two monumental home victories for the Black Cats. The team won comfortably and locked out a Manchester City team that have tormented defences this season. Wes Brown`s return to the team that day really steadied up the defence and City found it hard to break them down.
In Poyet`s three games in charge he has managed two wins at home and one loss away which is a statistic that will encourage Stoke on Saturday. That said, Poyet`s team has only conceded two goals in the three games in charge at Sunderland.
Stoke find themselves floundered on the brink of the bottom three and Saturday`s game may be the first of the season (just 11 games in) that can be coined as a relegation battle. Unfortunately for Stoke they have become the go to club for teams that are in need of a win. Stoke were flying high four games into the season when Norwich came to town and somehow nicked a 1-0 win. The trend continued with Stoke`s visit to Craven Cottage in October. Stoke dominated that game but again a failure to score combined with shocking referee decisions saw them lose that game 1-0 too.
The goal that day for Fulham was scored by Darren Bent and how Stoke City would love a natural goalscorer of his calibre in their locker. City go into the game straight off the back of hearing the sour news that a work permit for Juan Agudelo has been turned down. Surely meaning that Peter Coates will have to reach into his pocket in January for a striker?
Sunderland though are a team that prove spending big on a striker does not always reap the rewards. They signed Jozy Altidore in the summer for a figure believed to be close £10million. His return, 10 games, 0 goals. Prolific. I have stated earlier though, Stoke are the team to play when you need the winds of fortune to change.
Stoke City have become predictable this season and it`s likely to continue on Saturday. There have been glimpses of it all coming together this season but that`s just what they have remained, glimpses. The transition from the old regime to the new was never going to be easy but most Stoke fans never imagined it would be this hard. Mark Hughes has signalled his intent to continue with the system and playing style that he has instilled at Stoke, and that belief in his own ability is something you have to respect in football. Respect though can only go so far and anything less than a win on Saturday will have many fans questioning if a change in style should be implemented sooner rather than later.
Stoke City Team News:
No news to report.
Player to watch: Stephen Ireland
It`s taken a while for him to find his feet at the Britannia Stadium but he finally seems to be readjusting to Premier League football. Sunderland`s centre midfield is often thin and it will to be up to Ireland exploit the space that is created.
Sunderland Team News:
No news to report.
Player to watch: Wes Brown
How many times do you see Wes Brown touted as the key player? Man of the match vs Man City in his first game in eight months. His return to fitness is a massive boost for Sunderland, not to mention his experience.A good performance from him will spell trouble for Crouch and co.
Match Facts & Stats
Stoke are 2nd to bottom in the form table, coillecting 3 points from the last 15 available.
Stoke are 2nd in the aggression table after picking 25 yellows but 0 reds.
Stoke City have won 58.4% of their aerial duels, the highest in the league.
Sunderland average just 44% this
season in the Premier League.
Sunderland have picked up three red cards this season.
Sunderland are unbeaten at home under Gus Poyet but have lost in his only away game whilst in charge vs Hull.
All stats courtesy of Whoscored.com and Squawka.com
Ref Watch:
Lloyd Reddin shares his thoughts on this weekend’s referee, Kevin Friend.
https://stoke.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=339248
Match Prediction:
The International break will have stalled Sunderland`s momentum and a break may have been exactly what City needed. A narrow win for Stoke, 2-1.
If I keep predicting Stoke to win it will eventually happen.
