Twice In A Fortnight For Sunderland And Stoke

Tomorrow (4th October) Sunderland host Stoke City for the second time already this season after suffering a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Potters in the Capital One Cup at the Stadium of Light. A rare 16th minute strike from Jozy Altidore was rendered useless after Stoke`s Barcelona transfer Marc Muniesa grabbed a brace with goals either side of half time. The result of the mid-week clash perfectly summed up the fortunes of both teams with Stoke performing solidly, sitting in 10th position in the Premier League, whilst the Black Cats languish in 17th. Gus Poyet`s team are this season`s draw specialists having tied five of their six Premier League match-ups. Sunderland began their league campaign with a disappointing 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion, again failing to capitalise on finding themselves a goal to the good after an early Lee Cattermole stunner broke the deadlock. The season continued with good draws against top seven contenders Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspurs bookending a 1-0 away defeat at the hands of Queens Park Rangers. Both the Tyneside club`s last two games against Swansea City and Burnley have ended as 0-0 ties.

Mark Hughes` Stoke have been unable to recapture the same form that beat champions Manchester City 1-0 away at the Etihad Stadium though a similarly slim win over Newcastle last Saturday has seen confidence rise in the Potteries. A Peter Crouch header early doors was the difference against a Magpies team under-performing and making themselves comfortable in the relegation zone. The goal was the second in as many games for the former England international who contributed the latter in their 2-2 away draw at Loftus Road against QPR. Manchester City hero Mame Biram Diouf provided the opener for the men in red and white. Spreadex are offering 14/5 on the six foot seven inch giant scoring three in as many games. Stoke will, however, be without Senegalese Diouf, the Dakar-born star suffering a hamstring injury in the Newcastle game.

The bookmakers are anticipating tomorrow`s tie to be a closely-fought affair with Poyet`s home side being made slight favourites at 8/5 (Bwin) despite teetering above the relegation places. Stoke are best-priced 11/5 (Betvictor) to grab two wins in three games and stretch their unbeaten run to three. Similarly though less impressively, a draw can be picked up at 23/10 with Stan James.

Hughes` men will be looking to exploit the defensive weaknesses of the Black Cats with Poyet being forced to indulge in a spot of rotation thanks to an injury to a key face. Liverpool loan signing Sebastian Coates is currently sidelined with an thigh problem and will be replaced by former Manchester United centre-back Wes Brown. Twenty-three-year-old Coates lasted only 45 minutes against Stoke in the cup tie before being unable to reappear after half time. Emanuele Giaccherini was being used sparingly by Poyet after picking up a groin injury in pre-season though will be unavailable for selection once again with a knock seeing him substituted in the side`s bore draw against strugglers Burnley.

The injury endured by Diouf is the only worry for Welshman Hughes ahead of Saturday`s clash. Austrian Marko Arnautovic is set to be his replacement and is 9/2 (betfair, paddy Power) to net only his first goal of the 2014/15 season at any time tomorrow. Though rather than put pressure on the 25 year old, the City boss has told his player to calm down in front of goal.

`Sometimes it`s frustration more with himself when things don`t quite go right, rather than any lack of effort or focus.` The former Manchester City man told the Stoke Sentinel.

`He`s a confidence player and when his confidence is high he`s a real threat. But when things don`t go your way it`s important you don`t beat yourself up.`

Go To bet365

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03/10/2014     © Frixo 2026