Sunderland vs Stoke City Predictions

Sunderland vs Stoke predictions for this FA Cup fixture. Sunderland, buoyed by home advantage and strong form, face a struggling Stoke City side seeking a much-needed upset in this competitive clash. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

FA Cup | Jan 11, 2025 at 3pm UK at Stadium of Light

Sunderland vs Stoke City Predictions

Sunderland’s Cup Dreams: Can They Topple the Stubborn Potters?

• Sunderland’s Dominance in the Reverse Fixture: Sunderland fired 22 shots against Stoke’s minimal efforts in the December meeting, signalling their attacking superiority despite losing that match 1-0.
• Stoke’s Scoring Woes: Stoke have scored just one goal in their last five matches, including two consecutive 0-0 draws to kick off 2025, highlighting their lack of attacking bite.
• Home Fortress: Sunderland’s home form has been solid, with only one goal conceded in their last two outings and a commanding shot count of 24-6 against Portsmouth, despite a narrow scoreline.

Our Tips

The Stadium of Light will host a tantalising FA Cup clash this Saturday, where Sunderland face Stoke City in what promises to be a test of nerve and strategy for both sides. Sunderland enter the match with automatic promotion to the Premier League still in their sights, meaning the FA Cup may not be their primary focus. However, playing in front of a boisterous home crowd will surely compel them to push for victory.

Stoke City, on the other hand, arrive with mixed fortunes. They edged Sunderland in a tightly contested 1-0 victory last December, thanks to a dramatic late goal. While that result suggests they know how to frustrate the Black Cats, recent performances have left a lot to be desired. With just one goal in their last three matches and back-to-back goalless draws in 2025, Stoke’s attack seems to lack the punch needed to unsettle strong opposition. Nevertheless, knockout competitions often spring surprises, and the Potters will hope to capitalise on Sunderland’s potential FA Cup complacency.

Best Bet: Sunderland to Win

Backing Sunderland to win is the standout bet for this fixture. The Black Cats have shown resilience at home, as seen in their recent hard-fought victories, including a 1-0 triumph against Portsmouth despite a dominant 24-6 shot count. Sunderland’s ability to control games and create numerous chances, even against defensively-minded teams, sets them apart from their visitors.

Stoke’s offensive struggles are a key factor here. With no goals scored in their last two games and only one across their last five outings, it’s clear they’ll struggle to break down a well-organised Sunderland side. Sunderland’s defence may have occasional lapses, but against a Stoke side bereft of attacking creativity, they are likely to hold firm.

Furthermore, Sunderland’s underlying attacking stats inspire confidence. While they’ve occasionally been wasteful, they consistently generate high-quality opportunities. The reverse fixture saw Sunderland muster 22 shots to Stoke’s paltry attempts, underlining their dominance in open play. At home, with the crowd behind them, a sharper Sunderland attack should turn chances into goals.

As BettingTips4You.com expert Steve Harrington puts it: “Sunderland have the firepower and home advantage to get the job done. Stoke’s lack of goals is a massive concern, and that defensive rigidity Sunderland have shown recently makes them a solid pick to win this tie.”

With Sunderland juggling multiple ambitions, rotation might play a part, but even with a slightly altered lineup, they possess the depth to outclass Stoke. Stoke’s reliance on grinding out draws—nine already this season—makes them predictable, and Sunderland should seize the opportunity to exploit that.

Correct Score Prediction: Sunderland 2-0 Stoke City

A 2-0 scoreline appears to be the most plausible result. Sunderland’s attack, while not prolific, is effective enough to breach a Stoke defence that has kept things tight but hasn’t faced an attacking unit as dynamic as Sunderland’s in recent weeks. Stoke’s lack of potency in front of goal—evident in their inability to score against Burnley and Plymouth—suggests they’ll struggle to trouble Sunderland’s backline.

Moreover, Sunderland’s defensive shape at home has improved, with only one goal conceded in their last two matches. This makes a clean sheet a likely outcome, provided they maintain their focus throughout. Stoke’s current drought in front of goal also makes it difficult to envision them finding the net.

The 2-0 prediction aligns seamlessly with the best bet of Sunderland winning outright. It reflects Sunderland’s ability to convert dominance into goals while acknowledging their defensive reliability against toothless opposition.

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