Not easy, but definitely winnable. It’s well documented how hard Stoke are to beat at home but no Sunderland are earning themselves a bit of a reputation as a good side since Martin O’Neill took charge at the Stadium of Light.
While the Potters have not tasted a win in their last three games, the Black Cats have lost just once in eight, and the defeat they suffered was at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea beat them 1-0.
O’Neill has certainly worked some of his magic since taking over from Steve Bruce and that includes some very clever deals in the transfer market, there is no doubt that they are going places.
Shawcross has recognised this, but he knows that Sunderland won’t have it easy against Stoke and fans are in for one hell of a game of football.
Shawcross said: "They have turned things around recently and they are probably the most in-form team in the Premier League at this moment in time.
"Martin O'Neill has gone in there and picked them up, and he will want to come here and continue their run of good results.
"But we want to get that win on the board as much as they do, so it promises to be a good game of football."