📰 Table Of Contents
Recommended Bets
Match Preview
It’s not been a great start to the season for the Potters losing two, drawing one and winning just one of their opening games. Last time out they managed to clinch a draw at home to Middlesbrough courtesy of a last-minute equaliser from D’Margio Wright-Phillips. However, the home fans will be frustrated as they led early on in the game but found themselves 2-1 down until the dying seconds.
Stoke will be desperate for progress this year after miserably languishing in the bottom half for season after season since their relegation from the Premier League. They certainly have a squad more than capable of finishing in the top half, boasting the likes of Sam Clucas, Dwight Gale and Aden Flint. Michael O’Neil has been at the helm for three years now and you’d think conversations will be had at the end of the season if the club don’t show any signs of progress again.
Visitors Sunderland look very comfortable at Championship level since gaining promotion. Despite losing midweek to Sheffield United, the Black Cats did their supporters and Alex Neil proud as they battled with ten men for sixty minutes of the match thanks to an error in judgement from promising young midfielder Dan Neil. But it was the Blades who were begging for the full-time whistle at the end as Sunderland could have nicked a draw on another day.
It’s also worth noting that was their first league defeat in 20 games, so fans won’t be too concerned having shown they can more than compete in the second tier. Ross Stewart and Elis Simms will be on the minds of the Stoke defenders going into this one, particularly 40-year-old Phil Jagielka who you’d think will struggle to compete physically with the two imposing forwards.
