A clash with Stoke City is not normally what you’d describe as season-defining, but given Sunderland’s current run form, they find themselves desperate for a result this weekend.
Sunderland started the season incredibly well, and were top of the table after 15 games. But, a sequence of five draws and the defeat to Sheffield United last weekend have left the Black Cats slipping down the league.
Regis Le Bris’ men go into the game against Stoke City on Saturday in fourth place in the Championship, while their opponents are down in 14th place.
Sunderland fans have been told not to panic about the current situation, but if they fail to beat Stoke this weekend, alarm bells will surely start ringing.
Sunderland tipped to get back among the goals against Stoke City
As part of their regular Championship Check-In predictions, Benjamin Bloom and Sam Parkin discussed the predicament Sunderland find themselves in, and while Bloom had a good feeling about the Black Cats’ chances, Parkin was less certain.
Bloom said: “Sunderland need a win. I thought they were pretty unlucky against Sheffield United. Should have scored from the spot, had good control in the game, but at the moment United are winning coin-flip games on momentum.
“I am going to back Sunderland to get their first win in six here. And I think maybe they’ll blow the cobwebs off. I’m gonna go 3-0 to Sunderland.”
Parkin was surprised by that bold prediction, adding: “Wow, I’m not sure it’ll be that convincing. I’m happy to go for a 1-0 there. I agree with you, but there’s a lack of goal threat at the moment. It doesn’t matter how they get it done, they just have to get back up and running.”
Bloom agreed, and insisted Le Bris and his team simply “need to get a win” to get back on track.
After failing to score in their last two games, Sunderland will be desperate to get back among the goals, and all eyes will be on Wilson Isidor in particular as he looks to add to his tally.
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Sunderland have to get back to winning ways against Stoke City
The Championship is an incredibly difficult league, and anyone can beat anyone, but a home tie against a Stoke City side who are poor both defensively and in attack has to be a game that Sunderland can win.
It won’t necessarily be easy, and a 3-0 win is probably a little bit steep a prediction, but the Black Cats must grind out the victory in any way possible.
One issue though, is that Sunderland are one of the worst teams in the Championship when it comes to overcoming a deficit, something they’ve failed to do all season.
If Stoke get an early lead on Saturday and the Stadium of Light crowd starts to get disgruntled, Le Bris’ young squad could find it difficult to persevere and battle back, but they’ll have to find that resilience from somewhere.