HomeFeatured ArticlesSunderland v Stoke City Preview | Key Men, Stats & Team News

Sunderland v Stoke City Preview | Key Men, Stats & Team News

Sunderland welcome Stoke City to the Stadium of Light in a repeat of last week’s League Cup fixture.

Sunderland have had an indifferent start after their great escape at the end of last season. Despite only suffering 1 defeat in 6 matches in the league, Sunderland have yet to win a game having drawn the other 5. Their inability to turn draws into victories sees the North East club sit in 17th place.

sunvsstkfx

Stoke City have equalled their club-record away run with two wins and 3 draws stretching back to April and Saturday’s match gives them the chance to break that with the visit to the Stadium of Light where they won in the League Cup last week. The start to the season has been a decent one for Stoke and they currently sit in 11th with 2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 defeats.

Key Players

Lee Cattermole

Despite being down the bottom end of the table, Sunderland have only conceded 6 goals compared to the double figures of those around them. This has been in part due to the organised shape that Sunderland have lined up with this season and Lee Cattermole has sat at the base of this in midfield.

The performances of Cattermole have seen mutter the words of an England call-up, including the player himself. While this is premature, the former Wigan midfielder has improved his tackling that was often reckless and unnecessary resulting in 64 yellow cards in 210 Premier League appearances. Making 2.8 tackles per match (17 in total), 3 interceptions per match (18 in total), and 2.2 clearances per match (13 in total), Cattermole will play a part in getting a result against a goal-shy Stoke.

Victor Moses

In Stoke’s victory over Newcastle on Monday night, Victor Moses was the difference as the on-loan winger put in a man of the match performance.

The pace that Moses possesses frightened the Newcastle defence as his direct running caused constant problems and resulted in the assist for the winning goal. That was Moses second assist of the season from 9 chances created and with Stoke scoring only 5 goals in their opening 6 matches, he will be a pivotal part in changing their fortune in front of goal.

With the need for everyone to work for the team, Moses has also contributed defensively. With 3 tackles per match (12 in total) and 2.5 interceptions, Moses has shown in the early part of this season can he is a team player.

Betting Tip

With the previously mentioned solid defensive shape utilised by Sunderland set to make an appearance again this weekend, this could frustrate Stoke City as they struggle to break down Sunderland and get hit on the counter attack. Stoke have already received 8 yellow cards on their travels so far this season, 75% of their total bookings, they are valued at 1.67 to receive more cards than Sunderland with Tailorbet.

Team News

Sunderland wait on the fitness of Wes Brown and Emanuele Giaccherini before the weekend after a calf and ankle injury respectively. Sebastian Coates is a long-term absentee with a thigh injury.

Mame Diouf is ruled out with a slight hamstring injury as well as Peter Odemwingie has been confirmed be unavailable for the foreseeable future.

Prediction

With both teams scoring only 5 goals so far this season, it will be a tight affair as Sunderland and Stoke look to break down the other. The most likely outcome is another draw for the Black Cats.

Sunderland 1 Stoke 1

More News

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here