Southampton vs Stoke City: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at St Mary’s

Bobby Hellard
Saturday 25 October 2014 12:20 BST
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Ronald Koeman believes a top-four finish ‘is not realistic’
Ronald Koeman believes a top-four finish ‘is not realistic’ (AP)

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High-flying Southampton welcome Stoke City to St Mary’s, with Ronald Koeman’s team full of confidence after hitting eight against Sunderland last Saturday.

Koeman has been heavily linked to replace Guus Hiddink as Netherlands manager following his sides fantastic start to the season. The Saints have won five of their eight league games, scoring 19 goals, culminating in the 8-0 win over the Black Cats last Saturday, their biggest league win in the Premier League.

The superb displays this season have seen Southampton rise to third in the league and summer signing Graziano Pelle has enjoyed a great start to life at St Mary’s with six league goals, helping him to earn his first International cap for Italy and a debut goal for the Azzuri.

Despite the ongoing spat over Victor Moses winning a late penalty, The Potters will come to St Mary’s with confidence on the back of their 2-1 victory over Swansea and having beaten Manchester City away.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS...

Southampton 2 (Lambert, Davis) Stoke 2 (Odemwingie, Crouch) Premier League, February 2014

Stoke 1 (Begovic) Southampton 1 (Rodriguez) Premier League, November 2013

Southampton 1 (Lambert) Stoke 1 (Crouch) Premier League, May 2013

STATS...

Neither side have won a game in the Premier League, all four meetings have ended in score draws.

Southampton have the best defensive record in the league, conceded only five goals in eight games and only one at home.

The Saint’s 8-0 defeat of Sunderland was their highest Premier League win ever.

Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross has conceded seven penalties, the most by one player since 2008/09.

ODDS...

Southampton to win: 1.6

Stoke to win: 5.75

Draw: 3.75

CLASSIC MOMENT/MATCH

Cameron Jerome hit a superb 30-yard strike in the 90 minute to rescue a point for Stoke after going 3-1 down before half-time in the 3-3 draw back in 2012.

TV: highlights on BBC1 at 10.25pm

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