MX23RW : Monday, December 23 12:08:18| >> :120:47229:47229:

Preview: Stoke City vs. Sunderland

Preview: Stoke City vs. Sunderland
© PA Photos
Sports Mole previews Stoke City's match with Sunderland at the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke City play host to Sunderland on Saturday as they look to return to winning ways after their 4-2 defeat to Manchester United last weekend.

The Potters have only won one of their last six matches but as well as United, that run included Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.

Manager Tony Pulis may opt to return to his tried-and-trusted 4-4-2 home formation against Sunderland with Matthew Etherington returning to the side in place of Dean Whitehead.

Sunderland have lost only to Premier League champions Manchester City this season and they will be hoping to continue that run with a result against Stoke.

The Black Cats drew 1-1 with Newcastle United in the Tyne-Wear derby last weekend, but manager Martin O'Neill may decide to recall full-back Phil Bardsley to strengthen the makeshift defence that began last week's game.

Bardsley may replace Jack Colback, with Craig Gardner returning to central midfield.

Recent form

Stoke City: DDLWDL

Sunderland: DDDWLD

Possible starting lineups:

Stoke City: Begovic; Cameron, Huth, Wilson, Shawcross; Nzonzi, Adam, Etherington, Kightly; Walters, Crouch

Sunderland: Mignolet; O'Shea, Cuellar, Rose, Bardsley; Larsson, Gardner, Johnson, McClean, Sessegnon; Fletcher

Sports Mole says: 2-1


ID:51571: cacheID:51571:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3535:
Written by
Darren Plant

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Craig Gardner, John Terry
Read Next:
Gardner wants midfield return
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd22155232112148
2Leeds UnitedLeeds22136341152645
3Burnley2212822891944
4Sunderland22127334181643
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2111462518737
6Middlesbrough22105738281035
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom22811326161035
8Watford2110473028234
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds229582830-232
10Millwall217772118328
11Swansea CitySwansea227692424027
12Bristol City226972628-227
13Norwich CityNorwich226883734326
14Queens Park RangersQPR2251072328-525
15Luton TownLuton2274112538-1325
16Derby CountyDerby2266102728-124
17Coventry CityCoventry2266102834-624
18Preston North EndPreston2241172229-723
19Stoke CityStoke2257102330-722
20Portsmouth204882535-1020
21Hull City2247112131-1019
22Cardiff CityCardiff2146111934-1518
23Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2146112137-1618
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2146112245-2318


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!