Stoke today welcome Sunderland to the bet365 stadium buoyed on by the news that one of the most promising English youth talents signed for the Potters on Thursday.

Liam Delap sat and watched on in the directors box on Wednesday as Middlesbrough dominated a game the Potters deserved nothing from. Fortunately we managed to get a draw with a 91st minute goal from Wright-Phillips

Stoke were well below anything we have shown this season, creating virtually nothing for 90% of the game. Only a change of formation when chasing late on saw the Potters get a slight upper hand of the game, some of that was down to Middlesbrough just sitting and holding out for what they thought was a win.

Stoke have once again got a vast injury list and all in similar positions once again. Fullbacks Clarke & Tymon miss the game against Sunderland, alongside Laurent and now Ben Wilmot has a sore foot and could miss the game too.

How have we faired in previous meetings.

Todays fixture will be the 151st meeting between the two sides

Stoke wins 47

Draws 38

Sunderland wins 65

The last meeting 

The last meeting between the sides seems like an age ago especially for the Sunderland fans who managed to free fall through the league since the meeting.

The game was at the Stadium of light and Stoke had a plethora of talent on show with Arnautovic scoring twice and Peter Crouch also getting on the scoresheet wishing the first 35 mins. The game ended 3-1 with Jermaine Defoe getting one back but Stoke were in no trouble of losing the fixture.

The last Home fixture against Sunderland was pretty much the same thing. This time Stoke dominated again but Joe Allen scored twice before getting injured in the second half.

Who’s the threat

Sunderland are still on a high following Promotion with Ellis Simms & Ross Stewart have quick got a partnership together scoring 5 goals between them so far. Ex on loan winger Jack Clarke is on hand to offer some good wing play to assist

Form

Stoke

Millwall 2-0 Stoke

Stoke 2-0 Blackpool

Morecambe (5)0-0(3) Stoke (cup)

Huddersfield 3-1 Stoke

Stoke 2-2 Middlesbrough 

Sunderland 

Sunderland 1-1 Coventry 

Bristol City 2-3 Sunderland 

Sheffield Wed 2-0 Sunderland (cup)

Sunderland 2-2 QPR

Sheffield United 2-1 Sunderland

How could Stoke set up for the game.

As I’ve said Stoke have a long list of injuries and O’Neill could revert to a 3-4-3 system having no natural wing back available, but this is O’Neill. I’d hazard a guess at this with Delap starting on the bench.

What is your score Prediction?