Sunderland v Southampton: Back Black Cats to win 2-1 or 3-1

Southampton arrive on Wearside under an enormous cloud following the departure of chairman Nicola Cortese and after three wins on the spin in all competitions, Sunderland are poised to add to their woes with victory.

This game represents the third meeting of the season between the sides and having pinched a point at St Mary’s before dumping the Saints out of the Capital One Cup at the Stadium of Light in November, Mauricio Pochettino will be glad to see the back of Gus Poyet’s side after they take three more points off his side.

Therefore, the perfect accompaniment to that Saturday lunchtime ploughmans will be a punt on Sunderland’s succulent-looking odds of 19/10 to win the weekend’s opening Premier League offering on the goggle box.

Why? Well, even without taking into account all the disruptions suffered by Saints this week, the Black Cats haven’t hit better form all season.

After easing past Carlisle to book an FA Cup fourth-round date, Poyet’s side promptly defeated Manchester United in their League Cup semi first leg, before an inspired Adam Johnson helped dismantle a feckless Fulham 4-1 in their latest Premier League outing.

When you throw into the mixer that Saints’ recent away form is among the worst in the top-flight – having only prevailed once in seven – the picture is all-but complete.

However, considering Pochettino’s early-season flourishers have scored exactly once on their last five trips to the Stadium of Light, which is also the exact number the Mackems have conceded in their last four in all competitions, Sunderland are unlikely to have it all their own way.

So too add a bit of zing to your cheddar and lettuce, there is more than enough evidence to plump for the 7/1 offering in the coupled correct score market for Sunderland to win either 2-1 or 3-1.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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