Stoke City vs Sunderland Predictions

• Sunderland were unbeaten in three league games until an early red card scuppered their chances in midweek.
• Stoke grabbed a point from the jaws of defeat last time out, but were far from their best.
• Sunderland avoided defeat in four of the last six H2H encounters.

Middling Stoke could struggle against Sunderland

Favourites by virtue of home advantage alone, Stoke were fortunate to grab a point against Middlesbrough last time out after equalising at the death after trailing for much of the game.

While that was a positive point, it does mean that Stoke have won just one of their last seven competitive games and it is hard to stick with the Potters when they’re displaying that kind of form with no real signs of recovery. That’s not to mention their meagre return of two wins across the last six meetings with Sunderland!

No more bad luck for the Black Cats

Alex Neil’s Sunderland have made a rather impressive return to the Championship, easing any potential early relegation worries with a five-point return across the opening four games.

The 2-1 defeat in Sheffield last time out was Sunderland’s first of the campaign, yet that can largely be attributed to a moment of madness which saw them receive a first-half red card. However, Sunderland did show character to cut the deficit to a single goal even with ten men.

The price around a Stoke win seems a little skinny given their faltering form, so we’re sticking with Sunderland to win, albeit in the draw no bet market. As for the correct score, a narrow 2-1 victory could be the correct play.