Pritchard starts, 4-2-3-1: The predicted Sunderland XI to face Stoke City on Saturday | OneFootball

Sunderland take on Stoke City in the Championship at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

It has been a tough start for Michael Beale since he replaced Tony Mowbray as Black Cats boss last month, and the 43-year-old is struggling to win over supporters who were unconvinced by his appointment.

Sunderland suffered their third consecutive defeat in all competitions as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Hull City last Friday night, with Fabio Carvalho's deflected 71st-minute strike sealing all three points for the Tigers.

Frustration is increasing among the Black Cats fanbase, with many calling for Beale to be sacked after just seven games in charge, and the head coach admitted he is bemused by the criticism that has been levelled at him.

"I’m a little bit perplexed and bemused by the outside thing. The change was made by the club. We’d won two in nine before the change was made. In the next nine league games, the team has won four," Beale told The Northern Echo.

Sunderland currently sit 10th in the table, three points from the play-off places, and it will be a tough test this weekend against a Potters side who have improved under Steven Schumacher.

As the countdown to kick off continues, we looked at how the Black Cats could line up.

GK: Anthony Patterson

Academy graduate Patterson has started every league game for Sunderland so far this season, and it seems certain he will keep his place between the sticks.

RB: Timothee Pembele

Pembele has made just three substitute appearances since joining the Black Cats from Paris Saint-Germain on the final day of the summer transfer window, with Beale revealing that he needed time to build up his fitness.

With a shortage in the full-back areas, centre-back Jenson Seelt started at right-back against Hull last time out, but Pembele could be handed his first start for the club this weekend.

CB: Luke O'Nien

O'Nien has been a near ever-present for Sunderland this season, starting all but one league game, and he has worn the captain's armband in the absence of Corry Evans.

The 29-year-old has once again been a consistent performer this campaign, and he is one of the first names on the team sheet.

CB: Dan Ballard

Ballard had a tough afternoon in the FA Cup defeat to Newcastle United earlier this month, but the Northern Ireland international has formed an excellent partnership with O'Nien at the heart of the defence this season, and he should start against Stoke.

LB: Trai Hume

Hume has started every league game for the Black Cats this season, featuring at both right-back and left-back.

With Dennis Cirkin, Niall Huggins and Aji Alese all out injured, Hume was deployed on the left against Hull, and he is likely to continue in that role on Saturday.

Ekwah has impressed since his arrival at the Stadium of Light from West Ham United last January, and having started every game under Beale so far, he should retain his place for this one.

Another academy graduate currently starring in the first team, Neil has started every game when available this season, scoring four goals and providing three assists in 29 appearances, and he is likely to continue alongside Ekwah in midfield.

Amid interest from Birmingham City, Colorado Rapids and Sivasspor, Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman revealed Pritchard has been offered a contract extension with his current deal set to expire in the summer.

Having found his game time limited at the start of the season, Pritchard has established himself as a key part of the team in recent weeks, and with Patrick Roberts sidelined with a calf injury, he should start on the right once again.

AM: Jobe Bellingham

Bellingham has been excellent for the Black Cats since his move from Birmingham City this summer, scoring four goals and registering one assist in 29 games, and he is likely to keep his place against Stoke.

LW: Jack Clarke

Clarke has enjoyed an outstanding season so far, scoring 13 goals and providing two assists in 30 appearances in all competitions.

The 23-year-old has been linked with Burnley, West Ham United, Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton, Bournemouth, Leicester City, Southampton and Brentford, and with the transfer window closing next week, Sunderland will be desperately hoping to keep hold of the winger.

Beale confirmed that Sunderland are looking to bring in a striker this month, but it does not seem like the arrival of a new number nine is imminent.

Rusyn has scored just one goal for the Black Cats since joining from Zorya Luhansk in the summer, but he has started three of the last four games in all competitions, and he could keep his place against Stoke.