Sunderland v Stoke

Sunderland vs Stoke Preview

Sunderland will be going in search of a third home win on the trot at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon when the north-east hosts entertain fellow Championship counterparts, Stoke City, in this FA Cup 3rd round clash having collected recent back-to-back league wins.

Stoke City drew a blank for a fourth time in their last five games in last weekend's 0-0 stalemate at home with Plymouth Argyle and The Potters will make their way up to the north-east for this upcoming cup-tie on the back of recording just one win from their previous 12 games overall in all competitions.

Recent league wins at home against Sheffield United and Portsmouth have further strengthened Sunderland's claims for a cup win here at the Stadium of Light on Saturday as the bigger picture shows the Black Cats have slipped to just two losses within their last 19 games overall.

Having also captured nine wins within this period along with the two losses both being inflicted upon Regis Le Bris's side on their travels, Sunderland look in good shape to produce a positive result in their own backyard on Saturday afternoon.

Indeed, Sunderland are now unbeaten in each of their last 14 home games overall, picking up a total of nine wins in the process.

Stoke City's miserable and dour looking results continued in the Championship last weekend as The Potters were involved in a sixth stalemate in 12 matches overall while recording just the single win within what is becoming a worrying lean period.

Ironically, that rare highlight came in the shape of a 1-0 home win against their upcoming Saturday's opponents, Sunderland, at the bet365 Stadium but six draws along with being handed five defeats as well make this upcoming FA Cup clash with Sunderland a potentially tough one for Mark Robins' side.

Former Coventry City boss Robins will be looking to make his new club hard to beat but this cup-tie may come too soon for his plans to come to fruition against a well-organised and confident Sunderland outfit.

Improving Stoke City's results away from home will probably be near the top of Mark Robins' priorities as The Potters have registered just one win from their last 11 outings on the road overall whilst being dealt no fewer than seven losses along the way.

In addition, Stoke City have failed to score in six of these last 11 away games as well.

Sunderland v Stoke City Verdict

Sunderland have kept seven clean sheets in their last 14 home games and their solid defensive unit could well prove to be the difference between the two sides here at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon with the hosts perhaps running out 2-0 winners.

Therefore, our main bet will be Sunderland win @ 1.60

Other side bets worth considering:

Sunderland win & Under 2.5 goals @ 3.75

Correct Score: Sunderland 2-0 @ 7.50