- Sunderland have five draws and a loss from their last six games
- Stoke are without a win in their last four league matches
- Recommended bet: Sunderland to win & under 3.5 goals

Sunderland have slipped five points off the pace in the Championship following last week’s 1-0 defeat at leaders Sheffield United, but the Black Cats have been strong at home this term and will be confident they can see off Stoke.

Their visitors recently won 2-0 at Blackburn, but that has been only their second win in 10 games since a 6-1 thumping of Portsmouth and they have struggled turning draws into wins so far this term.

Team news

Sunderland will be without defender Chris Mepham, who was sent off in last week’s defeat at Bramall Lane.

Ian Poveda, Niall Huggins, Jenson Selt and Ahmed Abdullahi are also unavailable for the Black Cats.

For the Potters Enda Stevens is struggling with a calf problem and the game looks to have come too early for Bosun Lawal and Sam Gallagher.

Ben Pearson is also sidelined with a hamstring injury.

The stats

Seven of Sunderland’s last nine league matches have featured fewer than three goals, while both teams have scored in just two of the Wearsiders' home league games this season.

The Black Cats are unbeaten in their eight Championship home matches this term.

Stoke have failed to score in five of their eight away league games and there have been just 10 goals in City’s last seven away Championship outings.

Prediction

Sunderland’s 1-0 loss at Sheffield United last week ended a run of 10 Championship games without defeat, but the Black Cats can make up some ground on the leaders when they entertain Stoke on Saturday.

Regis Le Bris’ team have enjoyed a strong opening to the campaign, but that Bramall Lane loss was preceded by five straight draws that have seen the Wearsiders slip off the pace.

However, they have kept six clean sheets in their eight home matches this season and should be confident that they will have too much for the Potters.

Their visitors have struggled for goals on the road and look set to occupy what has proved to be a customary position in the middle of the second tier. 

They are 14th with 21 points from 18 matches, having finished between 14th and 17th in each of their six campaigns since relegation in 2018.

Only Swansea in the top 17 teams have scored fewer goals than Narcis Pelach’s side and last month’s 2-0 win at Blackburn has been the only occasion in their last 11 away league matches that they have scored more than one goal.

Neither side have had many goal-filled encounters this season, so expect this one to be quite tight too, however this looks like a good chance for Sunderland to get back to winning ways.

Back Sunderland to win & under 3.5 goals (double) at 6/5 with LiveScore Bet

Win up to £250,000 with LiveScore 6!

Win up to £250,000 with our free-to-play game, LiveScore 6!

Predict the score of all six LiveScore 6 fixtures for your chance to win. 18+, UK/Ireland residents only, T&Cs apply.