Southampton lost 2-1 to Watford last weekend
Stoke suffered a 2-1 defeat to Swansea
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Southampton suffered a shock opening day defeat to Watford last weekend to ensure their Championship campaign got off to the worst possible start.
The Saints could not recover from shipping two first-half goals. Tonda Eckert’s side remain on -4 points and are bottom of the division.
Stoke started well against Swansea, taking the lead after just ten minutes. Goals from Joseph Opoku and Adam Idah, however, turned the match in Swansea’s favour as they eventually sealed all three points.
Team news
Eckert could be without the services of Caspar Jander, who remains a doubt due to a muscle injury.
That remains his only injury concern though and he could go with a similar starting XI that lost to Watford.
Mark Robins, on the other hand, is missing several players. Aaron Cresswell is out with a knee injury, while Ato Ampah, Junior Tchamadeu and Lamine Cisse will miss the clash due to muscle injuries respectively.
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The stats
Southampton have won three of the previous five meetings between the two clubs since the start of the 2023/24 campaign.
The Saints won 22 of their 46 league matches last term, whereas Stoke claimed just 15 victories across the entire Championship season.
Both teams have scored in 10 of Southampton’s previous 13 competitive fixtures, with the south coast side even scoring against Arsenal and Manchester City in the FA Cup.
Seven of Stoke’s last 12 competitive games have seen both teams scoring.
In this fixture, both teams have found the back of the net in two of the last three meetings between the clubs.
Cyle Larin has scored in both of Southampton’s opening two games of the season. Since joining the Saints, initially on loan in January, Larin has scored 11 goals across 24 matches.
The latest Southampton vs Stoke odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Southampton know that wins have to start coming sooner rather than later, especially considering the club were handed a four-point deduction ahead of the season.
Eckert’s side did manage more shots, corners and created more big chances against Watford last week, but it proved to be to no avail.
Stoke began brightly, but faded as the tie against Swansea wore on and Robins will be looking for an improved second half display this weekend.
The Potters have won at St. Mary’s during their previous two Championship visits and this could well give the club hope that they can repeat this feat on Saturday afternoon.
Southampton will have learnt their lessons from the loss against Watford, however, and I believe Eckert will lead his men to their first league win of the season.
It wont be easy though, that much is certain.
Score prediction: Southampton 3-1 Stoke
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