Sunderland vs Southampton prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-09-01 11:30.
After losing their opening two Championship games either side of being eliminated from the EFL Cup, Sunderland have vastly improved since by following up a 2-1 win over Rotherham with a hard-fought 0-0 draw away to last seasonâs beaten play-off finalists, Coventry. Boss Tony Mowbray mentioned he wouldâve âprobably have been pleased with a point and a clean sheet beforehandâ, before he peculiarly admitted their hopes of signing a âkiller number nineâ were hindered by the fact theyâre ânot falling off trees, are they?â
A return to the Stadium of Light might help the Black Cats get their offence going again, having scored in each of their last 19 home games. Attack might be the best form of defence when promotion-chasing opponents Southampton come to town, against whom theyâve failed to keep a clean sheet en route to winning only one of the last seven H2Hs (D2, L4).
The first meeting in that seven-game sequence saw Southampton inflict a historic 8-0 demolition on their hosts, in what remains their joint-biggest victory since 1921! The most recent H2H saw them halve the margin when winning 4-0 in February 2017, a repeat of which would be a refreshing change-up given three of their four league matches this season ended 2-1 (W1, D1, L2).
The most recent of those came in a victory over QPR, where new manager Russell Martinâs nerves got a much deserved break with the decisive goal coming âearlyâ in the 64th minute. Thatâs opposed to how the Saints have been getting it done in most cases so far this season, after needing 87th and 94th minute winners to beat Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth respectively, while a 97th minute strike preserved their unbeaten start when drawing 4-4 against Norwich.
Players to watch: Sunderlandâs Bradley Dack has registered his sideâs opening goal in 12 of his last 14 goalscoring outings. While the home sideâs hunt for a prolific front-man continues, it is Southampton's number nine Adam Armstrong who has started the season on fire, providing five goal contributions already this Championship campaign (G4, A1). And how the lifelong Newcastle United fan would love to net at the home of their fiercest rivals.
Hot stat: Southampton have kept a clean sheet in only two of their last 18 away matches.