Championship | Gameweek 24

Dec 29, 2024 at 3pm UK

Bet365 Stadium

Stoke vs Sunderland

Match preview

Stoke are just three points clear of 22nd-placed Hull City, who occupy the final relegation spot, and have played a game more than 23rd-placed Cardiff City and 24th-placed Plymouth Argyle, who both have 18 points.

The hosts have little to complain about in their defeat to Leeds, as they had 20 shots on target and three good chances, while their opponents had just three.

Boss Narcis Pelach had come under increasing pressure and the Potters announced on Friday that they had parted company with the 36-year-old, but there was no word at the time of writing on the interim manager.

The Potters are winless in their last nine matches and have lost five of their last six, including a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland on 7 December.

Stoke have fared slightly better at home, losing just twice in their last nine games at the bet365 Stadium, but winning just once in that time.

As for the visitors, they come into the game off the back of an entertaining draw with fifth-placed Blackburn, a game in which they created four good chances and produced 1.2 xG.

Manager Regis Le Bris felt his side's performance in the first half was well below what they were capable of, telling reporters: "We were probably at 60-70% of our best potential. It was clear at half-time that it wasn't a tactical problem or anything like that. It was just a question of our level and we were not at our best.

Le Bris's side currently occupy one of the league's four promotion play-off places, four points behind both leaders Leeds United and second-placed Sheffield United.

The Black Cats have been in fine form, winning four of their last six matches, scoring 10 goals and conceding seven.

Sunderland's away record is mixed, having drawn four of their last six, although they have only lost once in their last eight away games.

Recent Performance

Stoke City Championship form:LLLDLL

Sunderland Championship form:LWDWWD

Team News

Stoke will be without the services of midfielders Ben Pearson and Jordan Thompson, with Souleymane Sidibe and Wouter Burger likely to form a double pivot.

Ben Wilmot, Ashley Phillips and Ben Gibson are likely to be deployed in a back three with defender Enda Stevens not expected to return from injury until mid-January.

Forward Million Manhoef has been ruled out, which could mean that striker Thomas Cannon will be flanked by Andrew Moran and Lewis Koumas on Sunday.

For Sunderland, attacking midfielder Chris Rigg was sent off against Blackburn and could be replaced in the starting line-up by Adil Aouchiche.

Elsewhere, defenders Daniel Ballard, Jenson Seelt and Niall Huggins have been ruled out, as have midfielders Alan Browne and Salis Abdul Samed.

Jobe Bellingham and Dan Neil will almost certainly partner each other in midfield in front of a defence that includes Trai Hume, Chris Mepham, Luke O'Nien and Dennis Cirkin.

Forwards Tom Watson, Ahmed Abdullahi and Romaine Mundle are unavailable through injury, so Aouchiche could be joined in attack by Patrick Roberts, Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor.

Possible starting lineup

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Johansson; Wilmot, Phillips, Gibson; Tchamadeu, Sidibe, Burger, Gooch; Moran, Cannon, Koumas

Sunderland possible starting lineup:

Patterson; Hume, Mepham, O'Nien, Cirkin; Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Aouchiche, Mayenda; Isidor