Stoke And Sunderland Do Battle In Premier League

Sunderland travel to Stoke City`s Britannia Stadium knowing that whilst a victory would put them clear of the drop zone for another week, a defeat could send them tumbling into the bottom three. Sixteenth placed Sunderland are currently just a point better off than Leicester who lie in the final remaining relegation position. A victory would see that gap open to four points should the Foxes fail to bring down Burnley. Alternatively, the Black Cats would move into the relegation zone should they fail to beat Stoke and both Leicester and Hull City win.

Very little is riding on this game for their hosts this afternoon, Stoke well clear of the drop zone in ninth but unable to steal one of the remaining European places. A victory at home could put Mark Hughes` men into eighth should Swansea fail to get all three points against Newcastle. A defeat for the Potters could see them fall as low as 10th.

Stoke and Sunderland have played twice already this season. They first met in the League Cup back in September before playing out the reverse Premier League fixture at the Stadium of Light a month later. In both cases, Sunderland were still under the control of ex-boss Gus Poyet. He would later be sacked and replaced with Dick Advocaat.

The pair`s League Cup third round encounter was also held at the Stadium of Light, though Stoke would manage to run out the 2-1 winners there. Former Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore put his side in front with the game 15 minutes young before Marc Muniesa levelled up for the visitors on the half an hour marker.

It would take Stoke deep into the second half to score their second goal of the evening though this would eventually come once again through Marc Muniesa. His 70th minute effort would see the Midlanders successfully come from behind to secure their progression through to the competition`s fourth round.

Bet365 have the best price on Stoke winning by two goals to one once again, this price being 9/1. Elsewhere, most bookmakers have 5/2 on the Potters managing to claim the victory by a margin of one goal whilst bet365`s 15/8 says that the Black Cats will hit the back of the net first.

Sunderland would also score the first goal in the two sides` original Premier League fixture back in October. On this occasion, the then Poyet managed club would run out the 3-1 victors.

The scorer of Sunderland`s early goal was Connor Wickham, giving his side the lead in the fourth minute. Charlie Adam would equalise for Mark Hughes` men just 10 minutes later though that parity lasted less than 10 minutes before Steven Fletcher restored the hosts` advantage.

The Stadium of Light outfit`s third goal would come with just 10 minutes of the match remaining. It would once again come from Fletcher and would put the points out of Stoke`s reach.

Betvictor have 55/1 on Sunderland beating Stoke by three goals to one away from home. Alternatively Bwin`s 13/2 says that exactly four goals will be scored between the two clubs. Fletcher can be backed at 35/1 with paddy Power to hit the back of the net twice or more.

These large prices are down to the fact that it is Stoke who are the favourites to win this tie by any means. Hughes` men are available at the best price of 20/21, this being up for grabs at most betting establishments. Otherwise, both bet365 and Betvictor have 15/4 on an away win with a draw available for backing at 5/2 (bet365, betfred, Totesport).

Go To bet365

#Ad

25/04/2015     © Frixo 2024