Saturday 11th February 2016 Kickoff: 1500hrs Sunderland v Southampton Football – England – Premier League A month or so ago things looked incredibly bleak for Sunderland and their battle to stay in the Premier League. David Moyes and his players were unable to find any consistency or run of form to provide hope of achieving another miraculous escape to extend their stay in the top flight. As we all know, however, it does not take a long time for the situation to change in football and although still firmly entrenched in the bottom three, the Black Cats come into this weekend’s game at home to Southampton in a much more positive frame of mind. Last Saturday’s stunning 4-0 win away to fellow strugglers Crystal Palace, combined with some results of other teams just above them, mean Sunderland could exit the relegation zone for the first time in months should they defeats the Saints. It’s quite remarkable considering many had already written them off due to not only their results, but the nature of their performances. When you also add in the fact that there was no money to bring in significant reinforcements in the winter transfer window, the fact that there is optimism now surrounding the club is an achievement in itself.
It’s been quite a season for Southampton thus far with a lack of consistency in the Premier League has seen them labour to what appears likely mid table obscurity. That would ordinarily mean manager Claude Puel would be under pressure but the Frenchman has masterminded Saints’ passage to the EFL Cup, the club’s first cup final appearance in 13 years. Their season has been illustrated with that of Virgil van Dijk’s who was outstanding in the first half but suffered a devastating injury which will rule him out now for the remainder of the campaign. His absence is an obvious blow and although it would be extremely unlikely to them dragged into the relegation battle for real, there is still an outside chance that Southampton could slip further into trouble. To that end, they have to find some better form than they come into this game on. One league win in seven games is indicative of their struggles and the fact they have lost the other six means they may just be beginning to look over their shoulders. They’ve not won away from home in the league in 2017 and have managed only one goal in their three games, a statistic they will be hoping to better starting Saturday.
The clubs have already met twice this season – the first league fixture and also on Southampton’s march to the EFL Cup final. The league game at St Mary’s was drawn 1-1 back in August, whilst Sofiane Boufal’s goal was enough to see the Saints march on in the cup. There has been very little to choose between the clubs in either match and taking everything into consideration heading into the third meeting that is likely to be the case at the Stadium of Light this Saturday.
Sunderland v Southampton Betting Tips
The motivation of possibly being out of the bottom three is huge for Sunderland and with the fans back on their side it should be a raucous atmosphere with the visit of Southampton. Whilst wins have been hard to come by for Sunderland at home, they’ve not been losing many either with just two defeats in their last seven at home. Southampton have won only twice on their travels in the league this term, against Bournemouth and West Ham, and considering their form in general then it presents Sunderland with an excellent chance to build on their win last week.
Both team’s performances throughout the season and of late would suggest this one is unlikely to be a classic but the most important thing for Southampton and Sunderland is the three points. Sunderland laid down a marker last weekend with the win over Palace but it they have to follow that up by banking another win and giving themselves a chance to heap more pressure on teams who have slipped further and further into trouble – and I’m backing them to do just that.
Sunderland 16/5 @ Betway
