Sunderland and Southampton have exchanged Premier League places over the off-season and Saints fans will admit one facepalm moment the Black Cats are inflicting all down to their form.
Two months have sailed since Southampton were laced in a Premier League laughter that also featured Sunderland. Truthfully, it originated through an error but it still hands Saints an excuse to explore their previous top-flight seasons together with the Black Cats.
As Transfermarkt suggests, a considerably long time has gone by with the 2016/17 campaign, the last such containing an elite Southampton and a lowly lying Sunderland. Eight summers in time, the courts have swapped and it's the latter glowing brightly in the Premier League.
But can they stand the Saints test? As for saying, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City are billed as ties to distinguish modest English teams from the worst.
Not ridiculing, but Southampton were closer to worst, yet the grit and grind they mounted in front of these three turned them modest. The initial two had to run for last-minute leads in their ultimate meeting while City shared happiness and spoils both.
Southampton's horrible showdown balance against Sunderland is laughable
To find how a Southampton Sunderland clash will go, either Saints can wait for a face-off or visit recent figures for an on-paper showdown.
Indirectly, an Opta Analyst report did one and in their words, noted: "The Black Cats' points tally is the same as all three promoted clubs combined after seven matchdays of 2024-25, with Southampton (1), Ipswich Town (4) and Leicester City (6) all struggling."
Proper facepalm moment for Saints then, firstly being the weakest performers by miles and second, getting added as makeweights with two others to balance Sunderland.
Undeniably, Southampton made the relegation wall look hard to climb over and Sunderland are easing those matters.