WITH the Potters travelling almost 200 miles north on Monday to take on Steve Bruce's Sunderland, stokecityfc.com decided to take an alternative look at the two sides ahead of the clash.
THEM:
(Sunderland's dip in form in the Premier League continued following a 2-0 defeat against Everton at Goodison Park, which left them winless in their last 13 games. Previously they were beaten 7-2 at Chelsea. Currently they are hovering above the relegation zone having gone so long without victory. The Black Cats are seven games unbeaten against the Potters on home soil, losing just once to us in 15 games.)
1: Monday night's clash will be Sunderland's first home league game of the decade, having played their other two league games this year away from the Stadium of Light.
2: The amount of points accumulated by Sunderland over their past six league games.
3: The 2009/10 campaign is Sunderland's third successive year in the top flight after Roy Keane led them to promotion during the 2006/07 season.
4: Monday's clash will be their fourth attempt to secure a first home win, having gone three without victory.
7: The hosts haven't lost on home soil against the Potters in the last seven meetings.
9: Darren Bent's winner against Arsenal in November was enough to secure the victory. However since then they have gone nine games without winning.
11: Frazier Campbell is their most used substitute having appeared from the bench 11 times so far.
14: Bent is in fact their leading goal-scorer with a superb return of 14 goals in the league.
18: Sunderland have conceded 18 goals in their last six games. Six more than any other club in the Premier League.
24: Steve Bruce's side haven't ended a league game goalless since May last year when they played out a stalemate with Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.
46: The amount of yellow cards that have been dished out to Sunderland players so far this season. Midfielder Lorik Cana has picked up the most, having already been cautioned eight times.
66: Sunderland have averaged a Premier League goal every 66 minutes this season.
113: Republic of Ireland international Andy Reid has fired across 113 crosses, almost 80 more than City's Matthew Etherington.
125: The amount of shots which have hit the target so far this campaign.
314: Sunderland have committed the second highest number of fouls in the Premier League, just four behind Blackburn Rovers.
US:
(City have well and truly put behind them a disappointing end to 2009 by kicking of 2010 in fine fashion. The Potters beat Fulham and then drew with Champions League hopefuls Liverpool in the Premier League, sandwiched in between two FA Cup victories against York City and Arsenal. One disappointing statistic is that we have only won once on our travels this season; at Tottenham Hotspur in October. However, performances on the road have generally been impressive and Tony Pulis will be hoping to secure maximum points on Monday.)
1: Abdoulaye Faye is the only City player to have been sent off this season. He was dismissed during the defeat against Hull City at the KC Stadium in November. This was also his first ever sending off in English football.
2: City have hit the woodwork on two occasions so far this season.
3: James Beattie remains City's leading goal-scorer in the Premier League with three goals. His last strike for the Potters though came against Wolves at the end of October.
4: The Potters are unbeaten in all competitions in four games. A 3-1 win over York in the FA Cup was followed by a 3-2 success against Fulham. The Potters then held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw before ousting Arsenal in an epic FA Cup 4th Round clash on Sunday.
6: The Potters currently have six former Sunderland players on their books. Thomas Sorensen, Danny Higginbotham, Danny Collins, Rory Delap, Dean Whitehead and Liam Lawrence have all played for the Black Cats.
10: Ten different players have scored in the league for the Potters so far. James Beattie has scored three whilst six others have scored twice.
11: The amount of games since the Potters recorded back to back league victories. The last being West Ham United and Spurs in October.
12: The amount of points accumulated from games where Tony Pulis' side have scored just one goal. (Won three, drawn three and lost two).
19: City have hit the back of the net on 19 occasions this season. However, only four have been scored on away soil.
20: Matthew Etherington has made 20 league starts for the Potters so far this campaign. More than any other City player.
60: Monday's game will be City's 60th Premier League fixture since winning promotion in May 2008. The Potters have won 18, drawn 16 and lost 25 of their 59 games thus far.
80: Thomas Sorensen's save percentage of shots on target this season. The best in the Premier League.
421: Minutes since the Potters last scored a goal away from the Britannia Stadium. Matthew Etherington was the last to do so at Hull's KC Stadium.
612: Number of appearances made for Sunderland by Sorensen, Higginbotham, Collins, Delap, Whitehead and Lawrence.
