Southampton v Sunderland: Preview and Predictions

 

Fixtures towards the bottom of the table are notoriously hard to call – but this season has proven to be even more challenging given the way in which teams like Southampton have performed. 

          Many would have expected Southampton to have been the league punching bag this season, in spite of their spending, and many have been left surprised.

          Saints have had a week longer to prepare for this fixture as were without opponents in Chelsea’s absence last weekend.  You’d like to hope this would be to their advantage, although it could prove otherwise.

          Southampton have only lost once in their last six fixtures, to Liverpool and Sunderland have only won once in their last six.

          This is a game that both teams need to win survival-wise, but this is one of the few Southampton may have been confident about at the start of the season.

          More than half of Southampton’s goals have been scored by Rickie Lambert – so if Sunderland’s defence can keep him at bay, they may be able to take something away from the game, but going on current form the advantage lies with Southampton.

           

Southampton v Sunderland: Verdict – Southampton 21/20