Sunderland v Stoke preview: Black Cats on course for consecutive wins

Jermain Defoe could be available for Sunderland who are aiming for back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time this season when they take on Stoke at the Stadium on Light on Saturday.

Defoe struck late to secure the Black Cats' victory against Crystal Palace on Monday Night Football, and despite a late injury scare, manager Sam Allardyce is expected to have the striker in his squad.

Victory over Palace extended their advantage over bottom of the table Aston Villa to four points, and depending on results this weekend, Sunderland could jump out of the relegation zone.

But they face a Stoke side in fantastic form following their 1-0 away win over Southampton, their third consecutive clean sheet.

Mark Hughes' side have lost just once since their 2-0 defeat by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on September 12, but despite the impressive defensive record, Hughes does not expect an England recall for defender Ryan Shawcross.

Team news

Defoe's ankle injury proved to be less serious than was first feared, and he could be joined by Fabio Borini, who missed out at Palace, also with an ankle problem.

However, Billy Jones is suspended following his fifth booking of the season, while midfielder Liam Bridcutt has joined Sky Bet Championship Leeds on loan.

Stoke defender Philipp Wollscheid is a doubt with a sore pelvis, but Marc Muniesa has overcome his hamstring injury and could come into the starting XI should Wollscheid be ruled out.

Xherdan Shaqiri is fit despite coming off in the win over Southampton because of a hamstring problem, but veteran goalkeeper Shay Given is out with a long-term knee injury.

Opta stats

Sunderland have lost just one of their last eight Premier League matches against Saturday's opponents (W4 D3 L1).

Charlie Adam has scored in three of his last four league appearances against Sunderland, but Hughes' side have the lowest chance conversion rate in the top flight this season, netting with just one in 10 of their shots.

Stoke have kept five clean sheets in their last six league matches - this after conceding in each of their eight games prior to this run.

There have been just 23 goals scored in league games involving Stoke this season; fewer than any other side.

Jack Butland has the best saves to shots ratio in the top flight (81 per cent).

Merson's prediction

They both had really good wins last week. It was the perfect game for Sunderland in the win at Palace, because they didn't have to go out and win, they could sit back because Palace are a counter-attacking team.

Stoke had a great result too, for me I thought that was the second best performance of the week behind Liverpool, to go and win at St Mary's.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (9/2 with Sky Bet)

Betting

Stoke are Sky Bet's 13/10 favourites for the victory as they look to record an unprecedented fifth successive away league win, with Sunderland 11/5 outsiders despite home advantage.

The Potters have been cut to 9/4 for a top-half finish following back-to-back victories, while Allardyce's men remain odds-against at 2/1 to avoid relegation. Jon Walters heads a wide-open first goalscorer market at 5/1 with Monday's match-winner Defoe 15/2 to net first again.