Preview: Stoke City vs. Sunderland

Sunderland will be looking to continue their recent good form when they travel to Stoke City on Saturday.

The Black Cats have won two of their last three Premier League matches under new boss Gus Poyet, with the latest coming against Manchester City two weeks ago.

Stoke currently sit outside the relegation zone on goal difference following a run of eight games without a win.

The Potters have drawn four of those matches, including their last outing against Swansea City.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes will be without Stephen Ireland due to injury, so Charlie Adam could replace him in the side.

Sunderland pair Andrea Dossena and Lee Cattermole will both serve the final game of their three-match suspensions, so Poyet could pick the same side that beat Manchester City.

Recent form

Stoke: LLDLDD

Sunderland: LLLWLW

Possible starting lineups

Stoke: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Huth, Pieters; Walters, Nzonzi, Adam, Palacios; Arnautovic; Crouch

Sunderland: Mannone; Colback, Bardsley, Brown, O'Shea; Ki, Larsson, Celustka, Johnson, Giaccherini; Fletcher

Sports Mole says: 1-1