The last winning streak Southampton experienced this season was of 2 matches back in September. The Saints have failed to win two consecutive games since then and after their win over Middlesbrough in the weekend, they visit Stoke City in the midweek.
Going by that fact, Saints are not quite the favourites to win the game. However, Stoke City’s home record against them hasn’t been very good either. They have won just one of their previous four games against the Saints, while Southampton have scored in each of their last 13 league visits to Stoke.
Southampton had some consolation in their win over Boro after they saw Israeli side Be’er Sheva ousting them from the UEFA Europa League. They are currently in the 10th position and a win might well take them up as the team above them, Everton, are playing Arsenal in the midweek.
Defence
Forster will start under the bar. The goalie has been criticised recently for his erroneous ball distribution but looked quite assuring against Boro.
Puel’s rotation has worked well for his back four. The Saints have allowed their opponents to take only 37 shots on target, which is the best record in the league so far, this season. Stoke will expect a resilient opponent.
Sam McQueen will start in the left-flank with Cuco Martina on the right defensive flank. McQueen was definitely a surprise choice ahead of Bertrand but he was brilliant in his job.
Martina’s crossing was quite erratic and Soares’ return is still unknown. The Portuguese will surely take his place when he is fit.
Southampton perhaps have one of the best central defensive duos in Jose Fonte and Virgil van Dijk.
