On Sky
After winning two consecutive games on the road while scoring 8 goals in the process and conceding none, Saints go into this mouth-watering clash with second-placed Sunderland with a renewed sense of belief and confidence.
Sunderland are unbeaten in the league in 2007, and this run has seen Roy Keane’s men become one of the favourites to gain automatic promotion following a slow start to his managerial career.
The two sides last met in November, when Saints grabbed a deserved draw at The Stadium of Light with a late Gareth Bale goal. That result proved to be a turning point as Saints won their following four games, and George Burley will feel his side are more than capable of grabbing a win and consolidating Saints’ place in the play-ff places.
Vital Quotes:
Danny Guthrie – ‘That [Southampton V Sunderland] will be a massive test for us. If we can beat them we will be right back in the thick of it.’
Southampton Team News:
Gareth Bale (back), Leon Best (hip) and Darren Powell (thigh) all face late fitness tests. Chris Baird could return from illness, while Kelvin Davis might replace Bartosz Bialkowski despite two successive clean sheets.
Player to watch: Home Player
Marek Saganowski – 8 goals in as many games illustrates the threat posed to opposing defences by the classy Polish striker.
Sunderland Team News:
Defender Danny Simpson is doubtful after receiving a knock against Wolves on Saturday, Dwight Yorke could return to the squad after a calf strain, while top scorer Connolly should return after missing out on Saturday.
Player to watch: Away PLayer
Daryl Murphy – the winger showed what a dangerous player he is with a goal and an assist in the win over Wolves.
Match Facts & Stats
Past meetings:
28/12/02: Saints 2-1 Sunderland
28/01/03: Saints 1-0 Sunderland
11/11/06: Saints 1-1 Sunderland
Next Fixtures:
14/4/07: Birmingham (away)
21/4/07: Leeds (home)
28/4/07: Norwich (away)
