David Prutton has made an intriguing prediction ahead of this weekend’s match between Stoke and Sunderland.
According to Sky Sports, despite a’massive’ margin between the two sides, the former midfielder believes the Black Cats will be restricted to a draw.
Sunderland had been on a roll before to their 4-0 humiliation at the hands of Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light.
Tony Mowbray’s team, on the other hand, remain fourth in the Championship table and have only lost once away from home this season.
Meanwhile, Sunderland fans will be pleased to watch Alex Neil struggle to start the new season in the Midlands.
Stoke City are now two points above the relegation zone and have only won one of their past eight games in all competitions.
Despite the obvious disparity in quality between the two sides, Prutton feels the Potters will earn a point in a dramatic 2-2 draw at the bet365 Stadium.
“The pressure is on for Alex Neil,” Prutton told Sky Sports.
“Stoke have been poor, and he’ll be feeling it as he faces the team he left last year to join the Potters.” The difference between the two is currently enormous.
“Sunderland were beaten by Middlesbrough, but they were down to ten players and have recovered well this season.” Their fans will be keen to beat Neil, but I believe the spoils will be shared.”
Can Sunderland beat Alex Neil’s Stoke?
Sunderland would walk right through them if they were any other team that had been so bad this season.
It is, however, Alex Neil. The 5-1 setback at the Stadium of Light in March tells us everything we need to know about this match.
It will be intriguing to watch how the Black Cats respond after such a humiliating setback to Boro, but the team surely needs an easy win to get things back on track.
Stoke is undoubtedly a difficult venue, but there is no reason for us not to win tonight. That could change if Pierre Ekwah is unable to play in Dan Neil’s absence.
