Preview: Sunderland vs. Stoke City

As the season approaches February, Gus Poyet's Sunderland need to start replicating their cup form in the Premier League, that's if they are to retain their top-flight status.

The Uruguayan's side play host to Stoke City on Wednesday evening having won just two of their 11 encounters at the Stadium of Light.

Poyet has no new injury concerns for the fixture, although he does have to decide between who will keep goal between Vito Mannone and recent signing Oscar Ustari.

Elsewhere, Steven Fletcher should feature as a lone centre-forward, while Adam Johnson is likely to continue on the left flank.

Like his opposite number Poyet, Stoke boss Mark Hughes has no fitness problems, with a fully fit squad to select from following the recent return of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

Depending on other results, Sunderland could move out of the relegation zone with a victory.

Recent form

Sunderland: WWWDLW

Stoke: LDWLLL

Possible starting lineups

Sunderland: Mannone; Bardsley, O'Shea, Brown, Alonso; Johnson, Cattermole, Ki, Colback; Borini; Fletcher

Stoke: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Walters, Nzonzi, Ireland, Assaidi, Arnautovic; Crouch

Sports Mole says: 1-1