Match Pack: Stoke vs Saints
Saints are back on the road for the first of a double header this week, visiting Stoke City on Tuesday night. Get set for the trip with our Match Pack…
THE MATCH
Stoke City vs Saints
Sky Bet Championship
Bet365 Stadium
Tuesday 3rd October, 8pm BST
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: James Bell
Assistants: Ian Cooper, George Byrne
Fourth official: Leigh Doughty
WHAT KIT WILL SAINTS BE WEARING?
Saints will be in their black and yellow third kit for the visit to Stoke-on-Trent, with grey shorts and black socks with a yellow trim.
HOW TO WATCH
Fans in selected countries outside the UK will be able to watch the game on Saints Play.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Both sides will be looking at the quick turnaround for this game as a chance to build momentum following positive weekend results.
Saturday saw Stoke come from two-goals down at Bristol City to win 3-2, thanks to goals from Mehdi Léris, Sead Hakšabanović and Nathan Lowe.
Their first win in five, manager Alex Neil will be hoping it’s a result which turns the tide as far as their season is concerned.
Saints manager Russell Martin will share this view of his side’s 3-1 win over Leeds United on Saturday at St Mary’s.
Also their first win in five, another victory just three days later would help to reinvigorate the campaign once more ahead of the visit of Rotherham United to St Mary’s on Saturday.
TEAM NEWS
Adding to an already length injury list, Stoke's stand-in full-back Lynden Gooch and centre-back Michael Rose were both forced off with knocks during the win at Bristol City.
They join the likes of Andre Vidigal, Ryan Mmaee, Enda Stevens and Tyrese Campbell on the sidelines, but dutch defensive midfielder Wouter Burger is in line to make a return.
For Saints there were no fresh injury concerns following the victory over Leeds United.
Otherwise Jack Stephens, Juan Larios and Ross Stewart remain the long-term absentees from the squad.
THE MANAGERS
Alex Neil: “You need to get results as you go along, though, and today was a big one for us. We will get better and we will play better than we did today as well and hopefully we will keep on picking up more points.”
Russell Martin: “I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be a big week for us. Obviously we have three games this week, we've got one out the way with a really good result. As I say, we need to build on that."
TOP SCORERS
Stoke City
Goals:
André Vidigal 5
Laurent, Léris 2
Nine players 1
Assists:
Laurent, Wilmot, Hoever 2
Eight players 1
Southampton
Goals:
Adam Armstrong 7
Ché Adams 3
Sam Edozie 2
Assists:
Manning, Adams, Kamaldeen 2
Five players 1
ONES TO WATCH
Sead Hakšabanović: Scorer of the all-important equaliser during Saturday's comeback, the tricky attacking midfielder has been involved with everything good as far as Stoke are concerned so far this season.
In his first three starts for the club since joining on loan from Celtic, the Montenegro international has two goal contributions.
Kamaldeen Sulemana: Saturday’s two assists showcased exactly what the youngster can offer to the side once back to his best, something he’s nearing with every passing game.
The 21-year-old’s ability to run with the ball and keep possession in tight areas was key to the fast start against Leeds United, something they’ll be hoping to replicate on Tuesday night.
HEAD TO HEAD
Played: 79
Stoke: 30
Draws: 15
Saints: 34
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
March 2018: Saints 0-0 Stoke
September 2017: Stoke 2-1 Saints
May 2017: Saints 0-1 Stoke
December 2016: Stoke 0-0 Saints
March 2016: Stoke 1-2 Saints (Pelle x2)
KEEP UP TO DATE
Not able to make the trip? We’ve got you covered! We’ll bring you all the behind-the-scenes content alongside the in-game action as Saints host Leeds.
Check out our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com, with live streaming of the game, key updates and audio commentary of the match, and be sure to download the official Saints app and follow us on social media for further updates and exclusive content:
