Pick of the stats: Stoke City v Sunderland
- Published
Another top versus bottom-half match-up on Sunday sees Stoke City host Sunderland.
The Black Cats, who are currently fourth in the Championship, got the better of the Potters a few weeks ago and Stoke have since parted ways with manager Narcis Pelach after their Boxing Day loss to league leaders Leeds left them languishing down in 19th.
Stoke have lost one of their last seven home league games against Sunderland (W3 D3), losing 1-0 in 2022-23.
Sunderland are looking to win three consecutive league games against Stoke City for the first time since a run of five between 1934 and 1936.
Stoke are winless in their final league game of the calendar year in each of the last eight years (D3 L5) since winning 4-3 against Everton back in 2015.
Sunderland are unbeaten in their final league game of the year in each of the last seven years (W4 D3) since they lost 4-1 to Burnley in 2016.
Sunderland haven't lost any of their last nine league games against sides with 'City' in their name (W6 D3) since losing to last season's champions Leicester City in March.
