Sunderland welcome Southampton to the Stadium of Light this weekend as David Moyes' side continue their fight against relegation.

The Black Cats put in a mightily impressive performance last weekend to thrash relegation rivals Crystal Palace 4-0. An early goal from the returning Lamine Kone had put Sunderland ahead, before Didier Ndong's strike made it two just before half-time. Main man Jermain Defoe then netted two in two minutes straight after half-time to complete the rout.

Moyes and his men remain bottom of the table, though, but with improved performances such as that, another great escape could just be on the cards.

Their next opponents, Southampton, have had a strange old season thus far. An EFL Cup final awaits, as does the potential for a first major trophy since 1976, but the Saints' league form has left much to be desired, with the Hampshire outfit having won only once since the turn of the year. Claude Puel's side currently sit dangerously close to the relegation zone, hovering only seven points above the bottom three.

So who will come out on top on the weekend: Sunderland or Southampton? The Black Cats or the Saints? The north or the south? Here are FIVE statistics you need to know ahead of the upcoming clash...

Defoe's is no Saint...

Not only is Jermain Defoe bang in form with 14 Premier League goals to his name this season, the Englishman has also been known to enjoy scoring against the Saints, especially in recent seasons.

Defoe has netted six times against Southampton during his career, notching two in the previous three meetings between the two clubs. Now the seventh highest scorer in Premier League history, the striker will be keen to add his 155 efforts and continue his good form against the Saints.

Head-to-head looks good for Puel's men...

In the last six meetings between the two clubs, Sunderland have been victorious only once. There have also been two draws, however, Southampton have won the other three fixtures - one of them being an embarrassing 8-0 thrashing of the Black Cats back in October of 2014.

In the most recent fixture between the two earlier in the season, the Saints came out 1-0 winners thanks to a wonder-goal from summer signing Sofiane Boufal. The odds are certainly in favour of the side from the south, then.

Goals?

Aside from the 8-0 thrashing back in 2014, this fixture is one that is notorious for not producing many goals.

Since 2000, the clash has averaged just over one goal-per-game, and no side has scored more than two goals against each other since way back in 1996 (again, aside from the 8-0 anomaly result). So for over 20 years, this fixture has been one that more often than not stinks the place out, but will it change this time around? If the sides' form this season is anything to go by, maybe not, which leads us on to our fourth statistic...

Poor goal-getters...

Both sides have played 24 Premier League games this season, and, believe it or not, both have scored 24 goals, too, meaning each of them averages only, yep you guessed it, one goal-per-game. Top of the class for your maths skills.

Only Middlesborough and Hull have scored fewer goals this season, making them the joint third worst scorers, alongside reigning champions Leicester City who have also only managed a mere 24 goals. If we were hoping that the two sides could produce a goal-fest to buck the trend of their usual results, we might just have to think again.

Travel-sick Saints...

Southampton are one of three Premier League sides yet to collect a point away from home in 2017, along with Burnley and Bournemouth, who also have failed to register a point whilst on their travels this year.

Without their main striker, Charlie Austin - who has been out injured since the beginning of December - the Saints have struggled, especially on the road. Can Claude Puel and his side finally get themselves a point or three on the road this weekend?