Date: Saturday 18th January Competition: Barclays Premier League Venue: Stadium of Light Kick-Off: 12:45 (Live on BT Sport 1) Southampton make the long trip to the Stadium Of Light just days after Chairman Nicola Cortese announced he is to leave the club, triggering speculation that manager Mauricio Pochettino could follow him out of St Mary's. But the Argentinian confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon that he is staying put with The Saints: "I am staying as manager, I have a professional responsibility to everyone at the club and the fans." (BBC Sport) The clash will also be Sunderland's final test before their all important Capital One Cup semi-final second leg at Old Trafford on Wednesday, where they already have a 2-1 lead over David Moyes' Manchester United.
Team News
Sunderland are likely to stick with the same side that won 4-1 at Fulham last Saturday. Gus Poyet could include potential signing Santiago Virgini, should he complete his move from Estudiantes in the next 24 hours. Southampton are also likely to remain unchanged from their win over West Brom a week ago.
Stats
Sunderland picked up their first point of the season in the reverse fixture. Emanuele Giaccherini scored his first goal for the Black Cats, before Jose Fonte's late equaliser. Southampton are one of the teams Sunderland have beat on their way to the League Cup semi-finals, where they won 2-1 at The Stadium of Light back in October thanks to goals from Phil Bardsley and Sebastian Larsson, with Maya Yoshida scoring a late consolation goal. Sunderland have lost just once in their last ten games in all competitions, despite sitting in 19th place. Southampton haven't picked up all three points against Sunderland in six games, a stretch that goes back almost 11 years to the day.
Joseph is a sports journalist, who has previously worked for Sky Sports News, Soccer Saturday, UEFA's coverage of the Champions League and Europa League and The London 2012 Olympic Games, as well as football clubs such as FC Halifax Town, Corby Town and Crystal Palace FC.
