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Stoke v Sunderland
12.30pm, Sat, Sky Sports HD2, Sky Sports 2 and online with Sky Player
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PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: 0-0

SKY BET odds: Stoke 11/10 Draw 12/5 Sunderland 12/5

One to Watch: Matthew Etherington

Bet on Saturday's match

Stoke City will be hoping for home comforts when Sunderland visit the Britannia, a game that can be seen live on Sky Sports HD2 and Sky Sports 2.

Both teams come into the match on the back of midweek defeats after Stoke lost 2-0 to Liverpool, while Chelsea claimed a 4-2 success at the Stadium of Light.

Stoke have an excellent home record against the Black Cats having won three on the trot by a one-goal margin, although Sunderland have been improved on the road of late.

Steve Bruce's side have won back-to-back Premier League outings away from home having got the better of Aston Villa and Blackpool in January.

Stoke's defence is bolstered by the return from suspension of Ryan Shawcross and his return is crucial with Abdoulaye Faye pulling a hamstring against the Reds.

Shawcross will partner Robert Huth at the heart of Tony Pulis' defence with Andy Wilkinson continuing at right-back with Danny Higginbotham on the left in front of Asmir Begovic.

Matthew Etherington should return on the left side of Pulis' midfield having been rested at Anfield while Kenwyne Jones and John Carew will provide a strong attack.

Jamaican hit-man Ricardo Fuller is away attending his uncle's funeral, so Jon Walters will provide cover on the bench.

Sunderland are set to play with a lone striker in the shape of Ghana international Asamoah Gyan because he is the only fit centre-forward on the club's books.

He will be supported by Kieran Richardson with Danny Welbeck (hamstring) and Fraizer Campbell (knee) injured, while youngster Jordan Cook picked up a knock in the reserves on Wednesday.

Sunderland will give a debut to Sulley Muntari in midfield while the club's second new signing Stephane Sessegnon is likely to be utilised on the left.

Stoke are likely to face a fit again John Mensah, who is expected to return to the side in place of Anton Ferdinand and he should partner Titus Bramble at the heart of the visitors' defence.

Stoke: Begovic, Wilkinson, Huth, Shawcross, Higginbotham, Pennant, Whitehead, Delap, Etherington, Jones, Carew.

Sunderland: Gordon, Onuoha, Mensah, Ferdinand, Bardsley, Cattermole, Elmohamady, Henderson, Richardson, Sessegnon, Gyan.

Agences de presses

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