Light starting to shine again at Sunderland

Chelsea v Man U probably gets the vote for the Premier League match of the day – but I’m intrigued by the first game of the weekend, Sunderland v Southampton at the Stadium Of Light (12.45pm BT SPORT).

Sunderland have finally found some momentum and are starting to panic those backers who have taken ultra short odds on them being relegation certainties.

They climbed off the bottom of the table last weekend with a stunning 4-1 win over fellow strugglers Fulham at Craven Cottage and a further three points today would lift them out of the bottom three (even if just for a short time).

Colleague Tony predicts a low scoring affair in his Premier League Preview and he could be right – but Southampton are narrow favourites and I fancy Sunderland so there’s an edge.

This could actually be Sunderland’s most important game of the whole season, and they’ll fancy their chances against a Southampton side who have gone off the boil after a superb start to the season, not to mention plenty of off the pitch drama this week with the departure of the chairman which in turn has left the future of manager Mauricio Pochettino in doubt.

Saints won for only the second time in 10 Premier League matches at home to West Brom last weekend (W2, D2, L6). They also came unstuck against Sunderland in the Carling Cup – in which Sunderland have a great chance of reaching the final and will take a one goal lead to the semi final second leg at Old Trafford.

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Max last 10 only)
Nov 2013 Capital One Sunderland 2-1 Southampton
Aug 2013 Premier Southampton 1-1 Sunderland
May 2013 Premier Sunderland 1-1 Southampton
Dec 2012 Premier Southampton 0-1 Sunderland
Apr 2007 Championship Southampton 1-2 Sunderland
Nov 2006 Championship Sunderland 1-1 Southampton
Jan 2003 Premiership Sunderland 0-1 Southampton
Dec 2002 Premiership Southampton 2-1 Sunderland
Mar 2002 Premiership Sunderland 1-1 Southampton
Dec 2001 Premiership Southampton 2-0 Sunderland

I expect Sunderland to win as Gus Poyet continues to improve the north east side who looked down for the count.

I’m selling Southampton / Sunderland and the plan will then be just to settle back and watch Chelsea v Man U. Because when it comes to Man U… I haven’t got a clue anymore.

RECOMMENDED BET (1-10 points)

SELL SOUTHAMPTON / SUNDERLAND for 5 points at around 0.05 with Star Spreads

RUNNING RETURN (JANUARY): PROFIT 4.75 POINTS

• Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
• Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.