Sunderland vs Stoke City: Live stream, team news, recent form and referee

All you need to know ahead of the Sky Bet Championship game between Sunderland and Stoke City.

Author:
Will Jeffries
Updated:
Mar 3, 2023 10:58 PM EST
Original:
Mar 3, 2023

Sunderland host Stoke City at the Stadium of Light, as Alex Neil returns to Wearside for the first time since leaving for the Potters earlier in the season.

Tony Mowbray's side currently sit in ninth spot, whilst Alex Neil's side sit mired in the bottom half of the table in 17th.

Last time out, Sunderland lost 2-1 away at Coventry City, while Stoke City lost at home to play-off hopefuls Millwall 1-0.

Live Stream details

When: Saturday 4th March 2023 - Kick off: 3pm
Where: Stadium of Light
How to watch: SAFC Live
Radio: BBC Radio Newcastle (International)

Team News

Lynden Gooch returned to Sunderland training this week, although this weekends game comes too soon as he works his way back to full fitness.

Dennis Cirkin continues to suffer with concussion suffered against Millwall when scoring the equaliser but no time frame has been put on his return.

Ben Pearson missed the last match through cramp for Stoke City and will be assessed ahead of the weekend, while Phil Jagielka could return after having a break.

Emre Tezgel is getting better but won't be back anytime soon.

Last Meeting

The two sides last played each other on Saturday 20th August 2022, when Ross Stewart scored the winner in first half injury time.

Sunderland team: Patterson, O'Nien, Batth, Cirkin, Gooch, Embleton, Matete, Clarke, Pritchard, Simms, Stewart

Recent Form

Sunderland: WWDLL
Stoke City: DWLWL

Head-to-head (last 10 matches)

Sunderland wins: 4
Draws: 2
Stoke City wins: 4

Who is the referee for Sunderland vs Stoke?

Jeremy Simpson will take of this match and has refereed 31 matches over the last 12 months and issuing 46 yellow cards.

He will be assisted by James Wilson and Adrian Waters, with Ben Toner acting as the fourth official.

What the Managers have said

Tony Mowbray is preparing his side to face a Stoke City team who he thinks are "very Attritional" and will provide his side with another tough test.

Mowbray said: "I went back to Middlesbrough, went back to Blackburn, teams I spent a few years at.

"I watched Stoke City the other night and I thought they played really aggressively and on the front foot against a really top team. Yet they made nine changes so that gives you an idea of the intent that is coming at the weekend.

"When they make nine changes, that suggests they are thinking more about league points than cup competitions.

"For us we have our own targets and have lost a couple of games last week and need to get back to winning ways. I'm pretty sure it will be a good football match and a very intense football match I think the opposition manager on the other side it's irrelevant to what really goes on on the pitch really, and we have to find a way to come out on top if we can.

"They will be very determined to pick up points. They are a very attritional team from what I've seen, they get the ball forward early.

"I think Stoke City, from the Tony Pulis days really, have always been a difficult, hard-working, honest team. My mind is still like that of Stoke being a little bit like that, a really difficult team to play against, get the ball forward, put it in your box, ask questions and run hard.

"The bits I've watched from them, they are not too far away from that, have good athleticism and I think it will be a difficult game for us."

Alex Neil will be expecting a hostile reception on his return to Wearside, although will be fully focused on returning to Staffordshire with the three points.

Neil said: "In terms of how I left, what people do is attach their own narrative to that. The one thing I'll say about Sunderland is that I feel extremely privileged to have been given an opportunity to manage Sunderland.

"We had great success there in terms of the first times we won at Wembley, I loved my time there and it was a great time in my career so as far as that goes, that's how I'll remember it; fondly.

"People will have their own opinions but I don't think anyone knows all the variables attached to it and I'm not going to get involved in any of that.

"It'll be a tough match. They've got good players, they've got good momentum. When you gain a promotion and you're on the up. I think in football you're only going one way or the other.

"Dropping down the leagues is obviously a painful experience but sometimes when you strip it back to the bricks and you can build, sometimes that foundation you build on is solid. They're now starting to go the right way.

"When you do get promoted you can relate that into the next season, which they have, and they've got some talented players, particularly at the top end of the pitch. They've got match winners and technicians who can look after the ball and hurt you at any moment. That's the threat they carry and we need to be aware of that.

"They'll be looking to just win the next game. I don't think most teams get carried away with the table. Once games start winding down, you start to taking stock of where you are and what you need to do.

"I think everyone over the course of the season has been a bit inconsistent. They haven't won their last couple of games and they'll be looking to get back on track."

Sunderland predicted line-up vs Stoke

Tony Mowbray's battle-weary players have finally had a week off so the batteries should be recharged a little, but Alex Pritchard may be due a recall in midfield.

Sunderland predicted line-up vs Stoke (4-2-3-1): Patterson; Hume, Ballard, Batth, Alese; Neil, Pritchard; Roberts, Amad, Clarke; Gelhardt