Read a preview and watch a live stream as Sunderland take on Southampton in the Barclays Premier League from the Stadium Of Light.
Where: Stadium Of Light, Sunderland
When: 12:45 GMT
Watch live: Click here to watch on BT Sport online!
Sunderland welcome Southampton to the Stadium of Light with the visitors likely glad to be back on the pitch after a difficult week away from the action.
Executive chairman Nicola Cortese has resigned – a key ally of manager Mauricio Pochettino – and a number of players have signalled their disappointment at his exit.
Sunderland too have had a departure this week in the shape of director of football Roberto Di Fanti, who was credited with bringing 14 players to Wearside, including Jozy Altidore from AZ Alkmaar, Emanuele Giaccherini from Juventus and Vito Mannone from Arsenal.
Those three players were amongst the biggest signings of the Black Cats’ summer, and will have to perform at their best if they are to help their team claim all three points in the face of a fine Saints side.
Altidore particularly needs to step up his game, with the American struggling to find the back of the net so far in the Premier League.
It says a lot about Sunderland’s season so far that Adam Johnson’s hat-trick against Fulham last weekend took him from one to four goals – and instantly made him the club’s top scorer.
Southampton’s form this season has resulted in international call ups for the likes of Jay Rodriguez, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert to the full England side, and Pochettino will hope that his attacking trio can again do the damage against Gus Poyet’s Black Cats.
COMMENTS