Match Pack: Sunderland vs Saints

THE MATCH

Sunderland vs Saints
Sky Bet Championship
Stadium of Light
Saturday 2nd September, 12.30pm BST

THE OFFICIALS

Referee: David Coote
Assistants: Timothy Wood, Mark Scholes
Fourth official: Ollie Yates

HOW TO WATCH

International fans can catch the game from St Mary’s on Saints Play. For more details see below:

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/saints-play-packages

WHAT KIT WILL SAINTS BE WEARING?

The black and yellow third kit will be making it’s Championship debut this weekend, with grey shorts and black and yellow socks.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Both sides will be looking to end the first section of the season in the best possible fashion, with contrasting fortunes for either side so far.

Sunderland have one win, one draw and two defeats in the opening four, looking to kickstart their season and move into the top ten with a win if other results go their way.

Saints are one of five sides still unbeaten in the division, a record Russell Martin will be looking to keep going for the longest possible time.

A win at the Stadium of Light, a stadium they haven’t visited since 2017, could see them reach the summit of the table if other results are favourable.

TEAM NEWS

Sunderland look to be bolstered by the return of Chris Rigg and Nectar Triantis in the coming weeks, after both featured for the Under-21s on Tuesday.

A name closer to the line-up is Elliot Embleton, who was amongst the substitutes against Coventry a week ago and is expected to be involved on Saturday.

Martin confirmed Jack Stephens’ injury isn’t as bad as first feared, but the skipper will miss the next “seven or eight games.”

Elsewhere Juan Larios is back in training, looking to continue his recovery from a long-term injury, whilst Will Smallbone is also back in the picture after being forced off against Norwich on matchday two.

THE MANAGERS

Tony Mowbray:

"We provide our own threats that I am sure they have worked on, but we have the advantage of the home crowd. They play a huge role in getting us over the line on many occasions.

"These are two big teams and that’s why the cameras are coming to broadcast the game. It’s one we are looking forward to."

Russell Martin: "We've been purely focused on the process and the performance. It hasn't been quite good enough the last two games, we have to get better than that.

"But despite that the lads have found a way to win. The character is there, the togetherness is there. They really believe in what we're doing."

ONES TO WATCH

Jobe Bellingham: A surname that needs no introduction, Bellingham has impressed despite limited minutes during the start of his time on Wearside.

Two goals either side of the break during the win over Rotherham two weeks ago adhearing himself to the Mackem faithful.

Ryan Fraser: His impact off the bench last weekend helped push Saints back into the lead at home to QPR.

Although still finding his optimum fitness, the Scot got 9 goal involvements in 18 games last time out in the competition. Something he’ll be hoping to replicate for Saints.

HEAD TO HEAD

Played: 68
Sunderland: 24
Draws: 17
Saints: 27

LAST FIVE MEETINGS

February 2017: Sunderland 0-4 Saints (Gabbiadini x2, Denayer (og), Long)
October 2016: Saints 1-0 Sunderland (Boufal)
August 2016: Saints 1-1 Sunderland (Rodriguez)
March 2016: Saints 1-1 Sunderland (Virgil van Dijk)
November 2015: Sunderland 0-1 Saints (Tadić)

KEEP UP TO DATE

Can't make the Stadium of Light? We’ve got you covered! We’ll bring you all the behind-the-scenes content alongside the in-game action.

Check out our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com, with live streaming of the game for international fans, key updates and audio commentary of the match, and be sure to download the official Saints app and follow us on social media for further updates and exclusive content:

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