Stoke City vs Sunderland: Steven Fletcher on the double last time the teams met

A look ahead to this weekend's fixture at the Britannia Stadium

Steven Fletcher in action for Sunderland (GettyImages)

Sunderland fans will be hoping their side is well-rested and revitalised after two weeks without Premier League action. Time is said to be a healer but the Black Cats will no doubt still be having flashbacks of the 4-1 drubbing sustained to Crystal Palace in their own back yard on April 11. Connor Wickham’s 90th minute finish was the only a mere consolation that day as Dick Advocaat’s men left the Stadium of Light with their tails between their legs.

This weekend’s trip to Stoke will be no easy task for the Wearside team, who despite their 3-1 victory over the Potters back in early October will be wary of their opposition. Handed the reins to guide Sunderland out of the relegation scrap, Advocaat will have to call upon his 35-years of managerial experience to architect a victory at one of the league’s most unpredictable grounds.

Stoke enter the tie after an impressive 2-1 victory over Europe-chasing Southampton and will be looking to add further points onto the board in order to catch Swansea City in eighth place. Mark Hughes’ side have struggled to establish any form of consistency of late, and could still be said to be reeling from three back-to-back defeats in March which took the wind from their sails.

KICK OFF: Saturday, 3.00pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Sunderland 3 (Wickham, Fletcher (2) ) Stoke City 1 (Adam) Premier League, October 2014

Sunderland 1 (Altidore) Stoke City 2 (Muniesa (2) ) Capital One Cup, September 2014

Sunderland 1 (Adam Johnson) Stoke City 0. Premier League, January 2014

STATS…

Stoke City have a 50 per cent win ratio when it comes to playing Sunderland at home.

Historically, the most goals score in this tie is eight, after a 5-3 Stoke City win in the 1936/37 season.

Stoke City haven’t lost at home to Sunderland since November 2004.

ODDS…

Stoke City to win – 9/10

Sunderland to win – 3

Draw – 5/2

TV: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC 1 10.30pm