Many at the Transfer Tavern were surprised when Stoke City were left with egg on their face, last time out, as they suffered a 2-0 defeat at home in the FA Cup to Championship side Wolves.
The Potters, then, will surely be looking to bounce back with a big win over an under-performing Sunderland side in the Premier League this weekend.
Stoke City have a team well equipped for European football, with the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Marko Arnautovic, but they find themselves in 11th and in need of a run of form in order to try and push on towards the Europa League spots.
Where better, then, to start than a game against Sunderland who find themselves in a relegation battle yet again this season and looking there for the beating at the moment.
With that, then, our landlord reckons this Stoke City XI will get a big win over Sunderland on Saturday…
GK: Lee Grant
In the absence of the injured Jack Butland, the veteran goalkeeper has been superb!
Having signed on a permanent deal earlier this week he could be vital in this game and can make a superb save at any moment. Until Butland returns he will surely be uncontested for his spot.
RB: Glen Johnson
The veteran full back has been in good form for Stoke City this season and even managed a call-up to the England squad earlier this year.
The 32-year-old will have his work cut out with trying to stop former team mate Jermain Defoe at the Stadium of Light.
CB: Bruno Martins Indi
The on-loan Porto defender has been superb for the Potters and they’ll surely be looking to keep him at the club. In order to do so they surely have to try their best to get Europa League football and a win here could be the start of the climb to those spots.
CB: Ryan Shawcross
The Stoke City captain is a vital player in the heart of the Stoke defence and has been for a number of years now.
He’s a leader at the back and could be vital in this game in trying his best to use his strength to stop poacher Defoe.
LB: Erik Pieters
The Dutch full-back has been a solid performer since arriving from PSV.
The 28-year-old has been brilliant this season and he has formed a good relationship with his fellow Dutchman Martins Indi in the Stoke defence.
CM: Joe Allen
The Welsh ‘Xavi’ was a great bit of business from Mark Hughes this summer!
A superb professional, he can run the whole game for any side he is in. The former Liverpool and Swansea man will be vital in this game and the rest of the season as Stoke look to climb the table.
CM: Charlie Adam
Adam is a consistent Premier League professional. He does the simple stuff well and whilst he isn’t spectacular, Mark Hughes can rely on him.
He is keeping the likes of Bojan out the side so he must be doing something right!
CM: Gianelli Imbula
The French midfielder has not been as involved as many felt he would be after arriving from FC Porto last season but he is a talent and needs to be on the pitch to show what he is capable of.
A game like this could be the perfect place for him to show his worth to Mark Hughes.
RW: Xherdan Shaqiri
He’s one of if not the best player in the Stoke City side. He’s had a few injury issues this season and that has limited his game time but he should be fit and firing for this one.
ST: Peter Crouch
The 35-year-old is just two goals away from his 100th Premier League strike and this could be the game that he manages to gain that great achievement!
Having signed a new one-year contract extension earlier this week, he will be on cloud nine and will surely use that to his advantage to try and gain the upper hand on stealing the show from his fellow veteran English striker Defoe.
LW: Marko Arnautovic
The star man alongside his buddy Xherdan Shaqiri last season, he’s been a tad quiet thus far this term but it’s only a matter of time before he starts scoring again and proving just how vital he is. Any success the club has will come down to him in many ways.
Agree, Stoke fans? Let us know below!
