Bruce - can battle it out for a point.

By Diane Alexander

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FIXED ODDS
	2pts Sunderland to come from behind and draw at 8/1 (Hills).	Ropey at the back but threat of slipping down the table should steel them.

Sunderland v Stoke

If the home side lose this match they could see themselves slide down to towards the the relegation zone after making such a promising start to the season.

They lost at Everton on Wednesday after the Toffees scored both goals of the game during the first 20 minutes.

On the other hand, Stoke will be going into this game on a high after they produced a shock last weekend when they knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup.

The Potters will be travelling to the Stadium of Light on the back of only winning one away game in the Premier League so far and their form suggests they could be in for another loss.

But after only gaining just six points from their last five home league games, Steve Bruce's men will have to up their performance to avoid further embarrassment.

The last time these two played each other, Stoke took the points at home with a 1-0 win, though the sides were pretty evenly matched throughout the 90 minutes.

Tony Pulis' side have the lowest tally of away goals scored with just four in the league so far this season and with the injuries and suspensions to hit Sunderland defence, a chance seems their for the taking to change that total.

Stoke could take advantage of that weakened defence but Sunderland's eagerness to stay out of danger towards the bottom should bring a response and a share of the spoils could be on the cards.

Verdict: Sunderland 2 Stoke 2