B Team Preview: Sunderland vs Saints

By SFC Media time Fri 04 Nov Sunderland vs Saints
Photo by Tom Mulholland

Southampton’s B team travel to the North East for the second time in three matches as they face Sunderland in Premier League 2 on Monday.

THE MATCH
Sunderland vs Saints
Premier League 2
Academy of Light
Monday 7th November, 1:00pm GMT

Saints come into this fixture after a resounding 8-1 victory over Middlesbrough last week.

In slightly different circumstances, several first team players featured at Staplewood Campus to gain extra minutes or return from injuries; Sékou Mara scored four goals and Theo Walcott grabbed a hat-trick of his own, along with a goal for B team captain, Lewis Payne.

Head Coach, Dave Horseman, was pleased that his youngsters involved could gain a “fantastic learning experience” alongside the senior stars, as the victory moved Saints up to third in the table.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: during the Premier League 2 match between Southampton B and Middlesbrough on Sunday 30th October 2022, at Staplewood Campus, Southampton, England. (Photo by Chris Moorhouse/Southampton FC via Getty Images)
Lewis Payne (L) impressed alongside first team stars against Middlesbrough

Sunderland return to the Academy of Light after a dramatic 1-1 draw against fierce rivals Newcastle in the Tyne-Wear derby at St. James’ Park.

Trailing in the final minutes, goalkeeper Alex Bass incredibly scored a stoppage-time equaliser to level the scores in dramatic fashion.

The draw means the Black Cats are unbeaten in two games as they saw off Stoke City with a 3-2 win the week prior. However, they had previously gone five games without a victory, stretching all the way back to August.

LAST MEETING

Last time out, a solitary goal from Thierry Small was the difference in a 1-0 win for Saints in the final game of 2021/22 season.

At St Mary’s Stadium, Small swept the ball home from inside the area in the 79th minute to ensure a winning end to the season and consolidate a 7th place finish.

MANAGER’S NOTES

“It’s a big one this weekend so we may be changed again, as the Under-18s have a great chance to progress in their Premier League Cup.” Horseman admitted after last week’s win.

“I would expect a lot of our Under-18s that usually play in the B team to play on Saturday, so it gives us a chance to look at some other boys on Monday.

“Sunderland have been playing some of their bench players as well so it may be roles reversed for us [from the Middlesbrough fixture].

“We’ve got a lot of character and determination in the way we play, and that allows us to take games to senior opposition which will be a positive for us.”

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