Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has admitted that he is wary of a backlash when his side face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats were beaten 6-2 in their last outing by Everton as their struggles in the Premier League this season continued.
However, Koeman is adamant that his side will have to be at their best to extend their unbeaten record on the road this term to six matches when they play Sam Allardyce's men.
Koeman told the club's official website: "The confidence is very good in the team and, of course, it's a help that you see that you still are unbeaten, but you have to fight, you have to work hard for that, to keep that performance away and we know that Sunderland is struggling, it's difficult.
"They had a big loss last week and they will react. They play at home, they need points and for them it's a difficult situation and that's sometimes for an opponent a dangerous one."
Southampton are seventh in the Premier League ahead of their clash against Sunderland.
Simon Sinclair
