Image source, Getty Images

Wonderfully observed. Kick-off is imminent

Ex-Sunderland and Ipswich goalkeeper Fulop died at the age of 32 on 12 November.

The former Hungary international had a tumour removed from his arm in 2013 but was cleared to continue his career.

He played 47 times for the Black Cats between 2006 and 2010 and last appeared for Ipswich Town in 2011, making 38 appearances for the Suffolk club in all.

Dion Dublin
Former Aston Villa striker on Football Focus

Image source, Getty Images

"Ryan Shawcross used not to know his limitations, and used to be a very rash defender. But now he's become a much more mature footballer, he knows he likes to be close to a striker and he's a much better player."

Shawcross for England? Not while Roy Hodgson is in charge, according to Mark Hughes., external

The teams are on their way out of the tunnel now. 

John O'Shea is sucking in the atmosphere as the Ride of the Valkyries blares out. 

Atmospheric.

Dion Dublin
Former Aston Villa striker on BBC Radio 5 live

"Sunderland look a lot more solid now. I think there are only three or four managers who can turn it around in the Premier League and Sam Allardyce is one of them." 

It is a very big job - but not as hard as it looked when he took over. And I imagine that 3-0 win over Newcastle will have helped boost the optimism around the club...

Image source, Getty Images

Neil Lennon
Bolton boss on BBC Radio 5 live

"Sunderland have struggled the last few seasons. I worry about where their goals are coming from. Away from home they are very compact and made it very hard for Crystal Palace last Monday but is that something they can maintain? Maybe he is looking for that little bit of stardust. But I think it's a big job to keep them up." 

Dion Dublin
Former Aston Villa striker on Football Focus

Image source, Reuters

"Sam Allardyce is old school, and he has demands of his players. Now he'll have found out who his strong players are, so they can do his job for him in the dressing room. 

"For me, Sunderland have to play Fletcher and Defoe up front for 25 or 30 games together, because they have goals in them."

Looks like that's how the Black Cats will line up today...

Ex-Sunderland and Ipswich goalkeeper Fulop died at the age of 32 on 12 November.

The former Hungary international had a tumour removed from his arm in 2013 but was cleared to continue his career.

He played 47 times for the Black Cats between 2006 and 2010 and last appeared for Ipswich Town in 2011, making 38 appearances for the Suffolk club in all.

Martin Fisher
Match of the Day commentator at Stadium of Light

"It's not taken long for Big Sam to get Sunderland moving in the right direction. Monday's win at Palace made it six points from five games, and if he can maintain that ratio he'll succeed in steering them to safety.

"Playing five at the back at Selhurst Park worked and, apart from a horror show at Everton, Sunderland have looked more secure defensively.

"And they will need to be solid against a Stoke side collecting clean sheets for fun, keeping five in their last six games to provide the platform for a string of 1-0 victories.

"The first goal in this one may well be the last one."

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce makes one change from the team that won 1-0 at Crystal Palace on Monday – American DeAndre Yedlin replaces the suspended Billy Jones at wing-back.

Top scorer Jermain Defoe is passed fit to start despite suffering an ankle problem at Selhurst Park, while forward Fabio Borini returns after missing that game through, again, an ankle injury, but only makes the bench.

Sunderland XI: Pantilimon, Yedlin, O’Shea, Kaboul, Coates, Van Aanholt, Cattermole, M’Vila, Larsson, Defoe, Fletcher.

Image source, .

Stoke manager Mark Hughes names an unchanged side from the team that won 1-0 at Southampton on Saturday – with midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri and defender Philipp Wollscheid both passed fit to start.

Stoke XI: Butland, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Johnson, Pieters, Whelan, Arnautovic, Bojan, Shaqiri, Adam, Walters.

Image source, .

Good news for Stoke supporters, you are fifth in our BBC Sport Predictor leaderboard. Sunderland are 11th in the table. 

Think you can help boost your team's fortunes? 

Just sign up and join your fellow fans in predicting the weekend's Premier League games. Bragging rights await!

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Wherever you're taking shelter from the rain today, welcome. Let's see if this encounter at the Stadium of Light can lift things a little. 

Stoke are unbeaten in their last four away games - and won three of those 1-0. Same again today? 

Or will Sunderland, buoyed by Monday's win at Selhurst Park - just their second win of the season and the second under Sam Allardyce -  continue to rise?

Let's find out... 

Image source, Rex

Welcome to our live page for Sunderland v Stoke City. We'll have text commentary here from 14:30 GMT. You can keep up to date with all the action from today's other Premier League games here.