Stoke City striker Joselu. (Photo : Getty Images)
Middling club Stoke City FC (13-14-8, 47 points) is scheduled to clash with lowly team Sunderland AFC (7-17-10, 31 points) at the Britannia Stadium this Saturday, April 30th as the 2015-2016 Premier League season winds down to its final few matchdays.
Stoke City is right in the middle of the overall standings, at the 10th spot, at the moment with three games left in their campaign this season. They are 16 points above the relegation zone, which means they will remain in the English top flight next season, but nine points below the last Europa League qualifying slot currently held by West Ham United at sixth place.
The Potters are coming off a 0-4 beating in the hands of third-placed team Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium last Saturday, as reported by BBC Sport.
City dominated the match from start to finish with goals from Brazilian midfielder Fernando and Argentine striker Sergio Agüero in the first half at the 35th and 43rd minutes while Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho netted a brace in the second half, at the 64th and 74th, to complete the hosts' four-goal haul.
It was the third straight loss for head coach Matt Hughes' side and also their fifth winless performance in their last six outings as they dropped to tenth place in the league table.
Meanwhile, Sunderland pulled off a stunning goalless draw with fourth-running squad Arsenal FC at their home field of Stadium of Light last Sunday, via SkySports.
It was an impressive feat for manager Sam Allardyce's boys considering that they are facing one of the league leaders of the current English top flight as they are battling relegation to the Football League Championship next season.
The Black Cats are fourth from the last place in the current league table although they are tied on points with bottom three squad Norwich City because of their superior goal differential.
With four matches left in their season, Sunderland must find a way to win as many as they can to avoid getting demoted to the second division next season.
The predicted result is a 1-0 decision for Stoke City.
Stoke City starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Given; Bardsley, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Muniesa; Cameron, Whelan; Diouf, Imbula, Arnautovic; Joselu
Sunderland starting lineup (4-1-4-1 formation): Mannone; Yedlin, Koné, Kaboul, van Aanholt; Kirchhoff; Borini, M'Vila, Cattermole, Khazri; Defoe
