Preview: Southampton vs. Sunderland – prediction, team news, lineups
On Saturday afternoon, Southampton hosts Sunderland in an attempt to get the victory they need to stay in the running for automatic promotion.
Sunderland has dropped to 11th place in the Championship rankings after five straight losses, while the Saints are currently in fourth place.
On Wednesday afternoon, Southampton had their St Mary’s showdown with Preston North postponed just hours before the game due to a fire at a nearby industrial estate.
To some extent, Russell Martin may not have minded an extra few days to rest some tired legs, Southampton having been in FA Cup action the previous midweek.
However, it also prevented them from building on their thrilling 4-3 victory at Birmingham City last weekend, the Saints winning for just the second time in five games.
Albeit with a game in hand, Southampton are now eight points adrift of second place and 15 points clear of seventh spot, leaving them in a position where they may as well throw caution to the wind in search of the runners-up spot.
With Ipswich Town, who currently occupy that place, to come on April 1, Southampton are left to focus to trying to deliver home victories over Sunderland and Middlesbrough.
Regarding Sunderland, their season has turned into a bit of a disaster; the Black Cats have lost five straight games under their third head coach.
After selecting Michael Beale to succeed Tony Mowbray, which turned out to be a disastrous move, they have suffered three losses while Mike Dodds has been temporary manager.
Sunderland is currently ten points out of the playoff picture and could as well start thinking about next season already. They will probably need to win eight of their final ten games to have any hope of making the playoffs.
The fact that they have only recorded six wins and eleven losses in their last 20 second-tier games emphasizes how difficult the challenge will be, especially considering they will be going up against opponents who have won 11 of their previous 17 home games in the league.
A week off may lead to Martin opting to make fewer changes than he had previously planned for the Preston game.
Joe Aribo and Samuel Edozie appear most likely to earn a recall in creative roles, particularly the former after his winning goal at Birmingham.
While Kyle Walker-Peters may return to the squad after injury, the defender could be restricted to a spot among the replacements.
Even though Jack Clarke is still sidelined for Sunderland due to injury, Dodds will almost definitely make changes to his team.
Almasi Rusyn should be chosen down the middle of the assault, but at least one of Calum Styles and Regime Mundle should get the start.
Luke O’Nien, a defender, is serving a suspension, therefore Dodds has to choose between playing a four-man formation or a back five.
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