Premier League: Sunderland v Southampton match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at The Stadium of Light

Jose Fonte of Southampton hold soff the challenge from Stephane Sessegnon of Sunderland (Getty Images)

Sunderland welcome fellow strugglers Southampton to The Stadium of Light on Sunday as both teams continue to try and fight off the dreaded drop.

Paolo Di Canio will be without suspended duo Stephane Sessegnon and Craig Gardner as Sunderland look to improve on their recent poor form, and all but guarantee their Premier League safety with a win.

Southampton will have other ideas, knowing that a win will guarantee they’ll be playing the Premier League next season. The Saints lost the last meeting between the two sides and they will be hoping to repay the favour by pouring more misery on Sunderland.

KICK-OFF:Sunday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Southampton 0 Sunderland 1 (Fletcher), Premier League, December 2012

Southampton 1 (Saganowski) Sunderland 2 (Edwards, Leadbitter), Championship, April 2007

Sunderland 1 (Wallace) Southampton 1 (Bale), Championship, November 2006

STATS…

Sunderland’s Danny Graham has now played 13 hours of football without scoring.

Sebastian Larsson has featured in all 36 of Sunderland’s matches this season but has been substituted 16 times.

Southampton haven’t beaten Sunderland since 2003, when James Beattie scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at The Stadium of Light.

Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin has made more interceptions than any other play in the top four European leagues.

ODDS…

Sunderland to win: 2.7

Southampton to win: 2.7

Draw: 3.2

TV:Highlights on BBC1 at 11.10pm.