FA Cup | Third Round

Jan 11, 2025 at 3pm UK

Stadium of Light

Sunderland vs Stoke

Match preview

Sunderland will be looking for revenge in Saturday's cup tie after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Stoke in the Championship at the end of December.

The Black Cats have since returned to winning ways with back-to-back home victories to move up to fourth in the table, just two points off the automatic promotion places.

Regis Le Bris' side beat promotion rivals Sheffield United 2-1 before edging out relegation-threatened Portsmouth 1-0 on Sunday, thanks to Wilson Isidor's seventh-minute strike.

Those two victories kept Sunderland unbeaten at the Stadium of Light this season, with nine wins and four draws from 13 home games.

Sunderland will now be looking to beat Stoke at the Stadium of Light for the second time this season, having won 2-1 in the league on 7 December.

Robins is preparing to take charge of his second game in charge of Stoke after his reign began with a goalless draw against Plymouth Argyle at the bet365 Stadium.

It was the Potters' second consecutive goalless draw, but the result extended their unbeaten run in the Championship to three games and moved them four points clear of the relegation zone.

They have also kept clean sheets in each of those three games, which will give them confidence that they can stop a Sunderland side who are currently the fourth highest scorers in the Championship.

However, their hopes of progressing from Saturday's FA Cup tie may be dampened by the fact that they have lost seven of their last 11 competitive away games.

Nonetheless, Stoke will travel to the Stadium of Light with hopes of reaching the fourth round for the third time in four seasons, as the Robins look to build on last season's semi-final appearance against Coventry City.

Recent Performance

Sunderland form (all competitions):WWDLWW

Stoke City form (all competitions):DLLWDD

Team News

Sunderland will be without the services of Alan Browne, Romaine Mundle, Ian Poveda and Tommy Watson.

Dan Ballard and Ahmed Abdullahi will not be ready for Saturday's clash, but could be fit in time for Sunderland's next league game against Burnley.

Midfield duo Chris Rigg and Salis Abdul Samed are in contention for a place in the matchday squad after recovering from their respective injury problems.

The visitors could be without Ben Pearson, Jordan Thompson, Eric-Junior Bocat and Million Manhoef.

Midfielder Lewis Baker is expected to start after being recalled from his loan spell at Blackburn Rovers.

Leicester loanee Tom Cannon will continue to lead the line as the striker looks to add to his tally of 10 goals this season, including the winner in Stoke's last meeting with Sunderland.

Possible starting lineup

Sunderland possible starting lineup:

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

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Johansson; Tchamadeu, Phillips, Wilmot, Gooch; Baker, Seko; Koumas, Moran, Bae; Cannon