Follow live coverage of Sunderland v Southampton here

Mauricio Pochettino
Reuters

Sunderland host Southampton in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light in the lunchtime Saturday afternoon kick-off.

Where to Watch Live

Kick off at the Stadium of Light is 12:45pm GMT. Live coverage is on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 1 HD. Watch highlights of the game on BBC 1 and BBC 1 HD at 10:20pm.

Overview

At the end of a turbulent week on the south coast following the resignation of chairman Nicola Cortese, Southampton travel to a Sunderland side on the up despite their position in the bottom three.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has calmed fears over his future and the future of his best players but having won just two of their last ten, Saints are in desperate need of a win to reignite their challenge to finish in the top half.

Opposite number Gus Poyet has guided Sunderland to a run of one defeat in their six games and produced the most convincing example of their improvement under the Uruguayan by defeating Fulham 4-1 last weekend.

The club lie just one point from safety and will see the visit of out-of-form Southampton as the ideal platform to leap out of the bottom three. On Friday, the club confirmed a back-room change of their own as Roberto de Fanti left the club after overseeing a disastrous January transfer window

What the managers say

Gus Poyet: "If it's a mess in your club and something is not normal it will affect you. We'll see how they react but it's about how much is in their players' heads. It's not what the manager likes, I can tell you that. It's not the best thing that can happen to you."

Mauricio Pochettino: "The commitment is to get to a good point at the end of the season, then we will see what happens. Logically, after the decision will be: a signed contract, a new board at the club, and we will assess whether I am set to stay another season."

Team form

Sunderland

Last Five (all competitions) D L W W W

Last result: Fulham 1-4 Sunderland

Southampton

Last Five: W L L W W

Last result: Southampton 1-0 West Bromwich Albion

Team news

Sunderland

Injured: Kieren Westwood (shoulder), Carlos Cuellar (thigh)

Doubtful:

Suspended:

Southampton

Injured: Victor Wanyama (leg)

Doubtful: Calum Chambers (ill)

Suspended: Pablo Osvaldo