Sunderland v Southampton – Match Preview and Betting Tip
This has been a very up and down season for Southampton. They began it by leaking goals in alarming number, but also playing a standard of football that suggested they had a good chance of retaining their Premier League status if they could plug the holes at that back. Then they improved considerably, and climbed out of the relegation zone for the first time this season. Then they sacked their manager. Then there was an understandable bedding in period for the new coach. Then the Saints began to play some confident, fluent football, with players such as Morgan Schneiderlin earning considerable plaudits from many a wisened observer.
Yet after this rollercoaster ride, Southampton still aren’t safe from relegation. Thus, they will travel to one of their rivals in the race to avoid the drop, Sunderland, knowing that a defeat could be a critical result for the club and its future. Perversely, though, if Wigan lose their next Premier League game, Southampton are definitely safe, so the one extra point that they have over their opponents in this match makes the dynamic very different for them.
Sunderland have certainly shown signs of improvement under Paolo di Canio, and it seems that they are now likely to avoid relegation. It will be interesting to see how di Canio goes about rebuilding this Sunderland side next season, and where he perceives the weaknesses to be. Certainly a defence that has been without Wes Brown for the entire season has struggled at times, but one would think that an attack that has been so dependent on Steven Fletcher that at times it has been almost absurd, needs to be pepped up.
Fletcher will once again lead the Sunderland line for this game, as the home side seeks three points that would surely see them safe. Southampton have a very settled side, and are likely to field the backbone of it once again as they seek a favourable result on Wearside.
Last Six Meetings
2012/2025
Sat 22 March Southampton 0 – 1 Sunderland Premier League
2006/2025
Mon 09 Apr Southampton 1 – 2 Sunderland Championship
Sat 11 March Sunderland 1 – 1 Southampton Championship
2002/2025
Tue 28 Jan Sunderland 0 – 1 Southampton Premiership
Sat 28 March Southampton 2 – 1 Sunderland Premiership
2001/2025
Sat 23 Mar Sunderland 1 – 1 Southampton Premiership
Sunderland (possible 4-2-3-1)
Mignolet
Bardsley • O’Shea • Cuellar • Rose
N’Diaye • Gardner
Johnson • Larsson • McClean
Graham
Southampton (possible 4-4-1-1)
Boruc
Clyne • Yoshida • Hooiveld • Shaw
Davis • Schneiderlin • Cork
Lallana • Lambert • Rodriguez
Betting Prediction
This game has draw written all over it. I think Southampton are the more capable of the two teams, certainly they have looked the slicker team in midfield this season, and I think they’ll get a point to inch closer to safety. I’m tipping a 1-1 draw in this game.
Final Scoreline Prediction:Sunderland 1 – 1 Southampton
Other Recommended Bets: Under 2.5 Goals, Both Teams to Score.
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