Incentives and subplots abound. While Sunderland are desperate to avenge an 8-0 humiliation at Southampton earlier in the season and Dick Advocaat is determined to keep them in the Premier League, Ronald Koeman remains on a mission to transport Southampton into Europe. Something has to give in this double-Dutch tactical duel but it will be no surprise if years of haphazard recruitment and general decision making continue to take their toll on a north east club who could do with emulating Southampton’s slick, intelligent synchronicity and efficiency behind the scenes. Louise Taylor
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Stadium of Light
Last season Sunderland 2 Southampton 2
Referee M Jones
This season G18, Y48, R3, 2.83 cards per game
Odds H 7-2 A 20-19 D 12-5
Sunderland
Subs from Mannone, Réveillère, Vergini, Bridcutt, Rodwell, Graham, Watmore, Agnew, Honeyman, Johnson
Doubtful Johnson (undisclosed)
Injured Álvarez (knee, Aug), Brown (knee, unknown), Fletcher (ankle, unknown), Giaccherini (ankle, unknown)
Suspended None
Form DLLWLD
Discipline Y85 R2
Leading scorer Wickham 5
Southampton
Subs from Gazzaniga, Cropper, Gardos, Targett, McCarthy, Wanyama, Reed, Djuricic, Elia, Gallagher
Doubtful Djuricic (ankle)
Injured Rodriguez (knee, 24 May), Mayuka (groin, Jun), Forster (knee, unknown), Schneiderlin (knee, unknown), Tadic (groin, unknown)
Suspended None
Form DWLWLD
Discipline Y53 R2
Leading scorer Pellè 11
