Southampton have to step up against Stoke City or face an uneasy St Mary’s
It’s hard to ignore the discontent across online Southampton forums - even if sometimes the loudest are a minority.
Just one week into the 2026/27 Championship season, some animosity around the club is understandable, as the Saints sit four points adrift at the bottom of the table after a points deduction handed to them after Spygate.
But after just one league loss in 22 games, it’s hard not to feel like Southampton have a great chance of climbing the Championship table. A meeting with travelling Stoke City will give them the opportunity to enter touching distance with some sides.
Potters visit St Mary’s
Mark Robins’ Stoke City will visit St Mary’s Stadium at 3 pm on Saturday in a bid to win for a second year in a row at the Saints’ home ground.
Last season, the Potters started the campaign brilliantly, before beating Will Still’s Southampton 2-1 courtesy of a vintage performance from the West Midlands side’s Sorba Thomas.
Stoke went down to ten men in the second half, as one of their players was penalised for simulation. It didn’t stop them from taking all three points, however.
The player sent off for Stoke was new Southampton loan signing Divin Mubama.
A chance at redemption
Cyle Larin is going to be the starting striker under Southampton boss Tonda Eckert for as long as he’s fit, but new boy Divin Mubama will be hoping to take his chances when they come.
The 21-year-old struggled in a Stoke shirt - but not many players have great first loans in their senior football careers, especially strikers. Mubama will have a chance to mark his first St Mary’s return since last season’s sending-off with a good cameo appearance off the bench on Saturday.
Southampton need to get off to an early start against Stoke, a side well drilled by experienced manager Mark Robins. It’s a game that has the potential to frustrate St Mary’s and create a tentative atmosphere.
A win will bring Southampton to a points tally of -1 and in touching distance of other sides in the league, should some outfits near the bottom fail to win once again.
With Finn Azaz set to return to the fold, the Saints have a good chance to return to their best. However, Tonda Eckert admitted Caspar Jander isn’t fit to feature just yet, after sitting out for pre-season after an injury at Eastleigh.
It’s a first home game since Spygate for Southampton, and it gives them the chance to get their season back towards track. A win would give them a brilliant chance to push on ahead of six home matches in their next nine.
