Football - Premier League - Bet Now at Bet365
Paolo Di Canio has described Sunday's crunch Premier League clash at home to fellow strugglers Southampton as Sunderland's "Champions League final".
John O'Shea rescued a point for the Wearsiders on Monday to secure a 1-1 draw against Stoke City - a result made all the more remarkable given the fact that the home side were down to 10 men on 34 minutes when Craig Gardner was shown a straight red card for a reckless lunge on Charlie Adam.
The Italian was pleased with the manner in which his players responded to an early Jonathan Walters goal for the visitors and felt they deserved more out of the game.
The point was enough to take the Black Cats up to 15th - three points above Wigan, who occupy the final relegation place and host Swansea at the DW Stadium on Tuesday. Sunderland are now available to back at7.50in the Premier League relegation outright betting.
It all points to the weekend visit to the Stadium of Light of Southampton in the race to stay up and Di Canio admitted it was now or never for Sunderland.
Di Canio's men are quoted2.50in the match betting, with the draw on offer at 3.30and the Saints away win priced2.80.
He said: "The game at home to Southampton is now like a Champions League final. It's crucial for our destiny.
"We can stay up but we need to win another game."
View all Football betting at Bet365
