Sunderland travel to the south coast to face Southampton this weekend with the Black Cats unable to clinch victory midweek against Crystal Palace. Sam Allardyce’s side are currently one place out of the relegation zone with the Wearsiders having a superior goal difference to Norwich and Newcastle.
Southampton are pushing for a European spot under Ronald Koeman with the Dutchman’s side hoping to put a 2-0 midweek defeat behind them. The Saints will have fond memories of this fixture having battered the Black Cats 8-0 last season in what was Sunderland heaviest defeat in modern history.
The Black Cats will be without the injured trio of Lee Cattermole, Jeremain Lens and Duncan Watmore for the trip south, with Cattermole picking up a concussion on Tuesday night. Southampton are looking short up front, with Charlie Austin and Shane Long set to miss this weekend’s clash through injury too.
Read Sunderland pick their predicted SAFC starting XI:
