Sunderland vs Southampton preview: Sam Allardyce hoping to kick-start revival after last week's setback

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at the Stadium of Light

(Getty Images)

It’s a big game for…

The Sunderland defence: It’s been a torrid season for whoever has played at the back for Sunderland with the team boasting (or not) the worst defensive record in the Premier League. They’ve conceded 25 goals in just 11 games, an average of more than two per game. A win here could lift them out of the bottom three, and Sam Allardyce will know the defence will have to vastly improve if that were to happen.

Best stat…

2003: The last time that Southampton tasted victory at the Stadium of Light. That’s a run of six games without a win, with three draws and three defeats by a single goal since then. They’ll hope for better in this one against a side with just a solitary league victory.

Remember when…

Southampton scored no less than eight times to heap misery on struggling Sunderland, with the visitors scoring a remarkable three own-goals. The rout started when Santiago Vergini volleyed into his own net from 18 yards and it didn’t get any better from then on.

Player to watch…

Steven Fletcher: The 28-year-old’s performances have somewhat gone under the radar of late, with the Scot netting seven times in his last six games for club and country. His partnership with Jermain Defoe upfront seems to be developing and they could cause problems for Jose Fonte and Virgil van Dijk.

Past three-meetings…

Sunderland 2 (Gomez 2) Southampton 1 (Mane)
Premier League, May 2015

Southampton 8 (Vergini og, Pelle 2, Cork, Bridcutt og, Tadic, Wanyama, van Aanholt og) Sunderland 0
Premier League, October 2014

Sunderland 1 (Gardner) Southampton 0
Premier League, FA Cup, February 2014

Form guide…

Sunderland: LLDLWL

Southampton: WWDDWW

Vital information…

Kick-off time: 3pm, Saturday, 7 November

TV: Highlights on BBC1 from 11pm