Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's FA Cup fifth-round tie between Sunderland and Southampton at the Stadium of Light. We should have some team news through for you shortly...

SOUTHAMPTON: K Davis; Clyne, Yoshida, Hooiveld, Shaw; Wanyama, Ward-Prowse, Lallana, S Davis; Lambert, Do Prado

SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: Gazzaniga, Schneiderlin, Fonte, Rodriguez, Cork, Chambers, McQueen

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino has made a total of six changes to his starting lineup following Tuesday's win over Hull City in the Premier League. Kelvin Davis, Nathaniel Clyne, Jo Hooiveld, Victor Wanyama, James Ward-Prowse and Guly do Prado all come in.

SUNDERLAND: Ustari; Celustka, Dossena, O'Shea, Vergini; Cattermole, Larsson, Giaccherini, Gardner; Scocco, Borini

SUNDERLAND SUBS: Ki, Wickham, Colback, Mannone, Alonso, Roberge, Mavrias

Sunderland boss Gus Poyet makes a whopping nine changes following last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Hull City. Ignacio Scocco makes his debut up front for the Black Cats, while Lee Cattermole and Seb Larsson both make their 100th starts for the club.

Now that's out of the way, let's get down to business. Don't you just love a good FA Cup weekend? We're getting down to the nitty gritty now, with the winner of this tie making it through to the quarter-finals.

Sunderland only just about made it through in the last round as they scraped past Kidderminster Harriers of the Conference 1-0. It wasn't the most convincing of victories, but they all count in the FA Cup. The Black Cats have a decent pedigree in this tournament, winning it 1937 and 1973 respectively. They last reached the final in 1992 when they were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool.

It was a bit more straightforward for Southampton in the last round. The Saints saw off Yeovil Town 2-0 thanks to goals from Guly do Prado and Sam Gallagher. The South-Coast club's only triumph in the competition came back in 1976, though they got to the final in 2003 before being beaten by Arsenal.

Ready for cup action... pic.twitter.com/9V60AQjzNs — Sunderland AFC (@SAFCofficial) February 15, 2014

When it comes to form in the Premier League this season, it's been a campaign of contrasts for Sunderland and Southampton. The Black Cats have struggled down near the foot of the table, while the Saints, who are comfortable in the top half, have dazzled many with their impressive brand of football

However, there has been little to separate the sides when they've played each other in the Premier League this season. A late Jose Fonte goal earned the Southampton a 1-1 draw at St Mary's Stadium back in August, but Sunderland fought back from 0-2 down to draw 2-2 at the Stadium of Light last month.

19-year-old winger @sammcqueen123 is included in the squad for the first time. #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/cPEjrlA5wp — Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 15, 2014

RECENT FORM:

SUNDERLAND: DWWWWL
SOUTHAMPTON: DWDWDW

Apologies for saying that these teams had met twice already this season. They've actually met three times. The other meeting was in the fourth round of the League Cup, with Sunderland winning 2-1 at the Stadium of Light. Can they repeat that feat again this afternoon?

REFEREE WATCH: The man in the middle for today's match is Mike Dean.

HEAD TO HEAD: It's Southampton who have the better record when it comes to past meetings between these teams. The Saints have 21 wins compared to Sunderland's 17. Meanwhile there have been 13 draws.

That said, it's Sunderland who have the better record in recent times. They haven't been beaten by today's opponents in their last seven matches.

10 - If the Premier League had started when Gus Poyet took over at Sunderland, the Black Cats would be 10th in the table (23 points). Upturn

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 15, 2014

PREDICTION TIME: Right, how do you see this one going? The powers that be at Sports Mole believe that we're going to see goals today, with Sunderland coming out on top 2-1. Not long to go now until we find out.

The players are just starting to emerge in the tunnel. A few serious faces in there as we creep towards kickoff.

KICKOFF! The teams are out, the pre-match niceties have been completed, and it will be Southampton to get us underway. Here we go!

It's been a busy start to the game, with Sunderland doing most of the probing. The ball almost fell to Borini inside the box early on, but the Southampton defence were quick to react and clear the danger.

It's the hosts who continue to dictate the early pace of this match. They're not allowing Southampton much time on the ball, stifling the visitors. Still, we are yet to see any clear-cut chances at either end.

For those who are interested, it's a wet ol' day in the North East. Decent football conditions, some might say. Could the slickness of the turf benefit Southampton as the match wears on? The away side haven't shown what they're capable of so far. Instead they're having to defend doggedly as Sunderland continue to ask questions.

CHANCE! Nearly the opening goal for Southampton! Lallana's cross to the back post is nodded down by Lambert towards Ward-Prowse, but the midfielder's tame effort from inside the box is well held by Ustari. The youngster knows that he should have hit that better.

This match is certainly opening up a bit more now. Both teams are exploiting some big gaps on the pitch, allowing for a fairly end-to-end contest. That previous opportunity for Ward-Prowse looks to have given the visitors a bit of confidence.

There's plenty of scrapping for possession going on at the moment. Sunderland are more than happy to mix it up in midfield, while Southampton also have one or two players who aren't afraid to bare their teeth.

It's Southampton who are currently on top. They're looking a lot more comfortable when on the ball. Meanwhile. Sunderland are looking a bit hurried and uptight. So much of the match is being played in midfield. It was always going to be a key area.

One distinct feature of this match so far has been a lack of quality in the final third. Both teams are getting into some decent positions, but that final ball just isn't happening. It feels like a goal is coming, though.

YELLOW CARD: The first booking of the day goes to Southampton's Maya Yoshida for tripping up Fabio Borini.

Something of a half-chance for Southampton as Shaw's dangerous cross from the left is just about punched away by Utsari. There were plenty of black shirts waiting in the middle, and it wasn't a bad delivery from the highly-rated youngster.

Southampton are now starting to take a bit of control. The visitors are beginning to find their feet in terms of the snappy football that they like to play. Clyne wins a corner off O'Shea, but they can't make anything of it. Lallana then gets a chance to drill a cross into the middle, only for Utsari to claim the ball.

ACTION SHOT: Emanuele Giaccherini challenged by Victor Wanyama of Southampton. pic.twitter.com/t8GwtkEOLP

— Sunderland AFC (@SAFCofficial) February 15, 2014

CHANCE! Close for Southampton! Clyne does brilliantly down the right before punching in a good cross towards Lambert. However, Vergini is there to clear the danger and concede a corner that the Saints fail to make anything of.

Southampton are finishing this first half in the ascendancy. They're looking pretty menacing at the moment as they go in search of the game's first goal. Meanwhile, Sunderland are looking frustrated. Very little has gone right for them in the last 10 minutes or so.

YELLOW CARD: Another booking for a Southampton player here as Steven Davis is cautioned for clattering Borini from behind.

One minute of added time at the end of the first half...

Referee Mike Dean blows the half-time whistle to bring an end to a goalless first half at the Stadium of Light. Not the most riveting 45 minutes you'll ever see, but not the worst either.

The best chance of the half came 10 minutes in when Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse saw his effort saved by Oscar Ustari following Rickie Lambert's knockdown. It could easily have been the opening goal had the youngster struck the ball with a bit more conviction.

Sunderland have shown some promise in attack, but they've struggled with the final ball. Gus Poyet is likely to be telling his players to be a bit more brave up front when they emerge for the second half.

PHOTO: James Ward-Prowse whips in a cross under pressure from @SAFCofficial midfielder Lee Cattermole. #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/uoMBIHP3Kf

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 15, 2014

Something that needs to be said is that the atmosphere has been non-existent inside the Stadium of Light so far. Only about 16,000 are watching this game. It's a sorry sight for those who love the FA Cup. Let's hope that they have something to shout about during the second half.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The players are back out and it will be Sunderland to kick us off for the second half. No changes for either side at the break.

It's been a bright start to the second half from Sunderland, who are looking to attack Southampton early. The hosts have had a couple of close offside decisions go against them already.

What a goal from Craig Gardner to break the deadlock! The midfielder sold Wanyama a dummy to work himself a bit of space before unleashing a ferocious shot in off the crossbar from 25 yards. That was an incredible hit.

It's not been a bad response from Southampton to going behind. The visitors aren't panicking just yet. However, Sunderland have got a bit of swagger about them now after landing the first blow in this contest.

Southampton are huffing and puffing here, but to no avail. One has to wonder how long until Mauricio Pochettino starts thinking about bringing on some fresh legs.

Not a great effort from Southampton midfielder Davis as he flashes a shot well wide of the post from 25 yards. He had time to do better there. Still, the visitors are continuing to ask questions of the Sunderland defence as we head into the final 30 minutes of the match.

This game has become very scrappy in the last few minutes. Both sides are battling away for possession in midfield, but neither is able to keep hold of the ball for very long.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Two changes for Southampton here as Jay Rodriguez and Morgan Schneiderlin replace Guly do Prado and James Ward-Prowse. Can the visitors get themselves back into this contest?

Let's be honest: this is pretty grim at the moment. Gardner's goal aside, there's been a real lack of quality out there this afternoon. You would have expected better from Southampton in particular, but Mauricio Pochettino's side have been well below par. They look a shadow of the team we know that they can be.

7 - Jay Rodriguez has scored seven goals in his last 10 away games in all competitions. Voyager. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 15, 2014

SUBSTITUTION: Now Sunderland make a change as Connor Wickham enters the action in place of Ignacio Scocco. It's not been the most memorable of debuts for the Argentine forward.

Just under 20 minutes remaining at the Stadium of Light and Southampton are going to have to up their game if they want anything out of this match. They're still struggling out there. Meanwhile, Sunderland can sense a second goal. It would surely kill off the game if they find it.

CHANCE! Almost a second goal for Sunderland! Larsson's cross from the right was directed at Wickham, but the substitute just couldn't get enough on it to steer it towards goal. Instead, Davis is there to gather it and set Southampton on their way.

Larsson is involved again as he hits a powerful shot from the edge of the box, but it's an easy save for Davis in the end. A yard or two either side of the goalkeeper and it could have been a different story.

SUBSTITUTION: Another swap for Sunderland now as Andrea Dossena comes off for Marcos Alonso.

CHANCE! Wonderful play down the right sees Clyne skin Alonso before darting into the box. The defender's cross is met by Lallana at the near post, but the midfielder somehow fires wide from close range. That was a glorious opportunity for the visitors.

MISS! How has Lambert put that over?! Clyne does well again down the right before whipping in a cross towards Lambert, who somehow shoots over the crossbar from about a yard out. What an incredible miss from the striker.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Changes for both sides here as Jack Colback replaces Craig Gardner for Sunderland. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Sam McQueen comes on for his Southampton debut in place of Adam Lallana. Time is running out for the visitors.

CHANCE! Colback leads a quick Sunderland counter-attack but he makes the wrong decision by shooting wide when he had Borini up in support. The Italian striker does not look best pleased, and rightly so.

SAVE! That's a great save from Davis to keep Southampton in this match! Colback did the right thing this time to feed Borini, but the striker's effort was pushed away by the goalkeeper.

YELLOW CARD: Southampton's Jay Rodriguez goes into the book for a late challenge on Cattermole. Three minutes of added time are indicated by the fourth official.

The full-time whistle goes and it's Sunderland who are into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup thanks to a 1-0 win over Southampton. It wasn't a classic cup tie by any stretch of the imagination, but Craig Gardner's thrilling strike just after the break was enough to separate the teams.

That's all from us for this live text coverage, but don't forget that we have commentaries of today's other FA Cup ties right here on Sports Mole. Thank you very much for your company, and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!