Sunderland's need for Premier League points and Stoke's only slightly less calamitous start to the season has turned Saturday's bottom of the table clash into one neither can afford to lose.
Until Stoke snatched an unexpected point at Manchester United on Oct. 2, Mark Hughes' side were performing woefully, conceding four goals apiece in defeats to Manchester City, Tottenham and Crystal Palace.
That 1-1 draw will give Stoke heart that recovery can now begin while Sunderland had much less reason for satisfaction from the same scoreline that weekend to West Brom, the sort of side that simply must be beaten at home if yet another relegation battle is to be avoided.