{"id":13216,"date":"2017-05-21T00:52:06","date_gmt":"2017-05-21T00:52:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.violetsport.com\/2017\/05\/21\/southampton-vs-stoke-preview-classic-encounter-team-news-predicted-lineups-more\/"},"modified":"2017-05-21T00:52:06","modified_gmt":"2017-05-21T00:52:06","slug":"southampton-vs-stoke-preview-classic-encounter-team-news-predicted-lineups-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.violetsport.com\/?p=13216","title":{"rendered":"Southampton vs Stoke Preview: Classic Encounter, Team News, Predicted Lineups & More"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Southampton host Stoke City on Sunday in the final game of the campaign aiming to give the Saints faithful something to cheer about as the season draws to a close, as St Mary’s has failed to witness the home side score a goal in their previous four games.<\/p>\n

The visitors\u00a0season has petered out with only one win in their last ten league games which has resulted in a bottom half finish for the first time since 2012\/13 – regardless of the result on Sunday – but Mark Hughes will be hoping for one final performance at Southampton to end the season on a high for the Stoke City faithful.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n

Classic Encounter<\/strong><\/inline><\/p>\n

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\"Stoke<\/div>\n

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Season 2015\/16 at the Britannia Stadium finished with the Saints recording their first league win away to Stoke since April 2006, thanks to a first-half brace from Graziano Pelle – which ended the Italian’s\u00a012 game scoring drought.\u00a0<\/inline><\/p>\n

Despite pegging a goal back early in the second half through\u00a0<\/inline>Marko Arnautovic,\u00a0<\/inline>Stoke were unable to convert their chances despite a one man advantage following Sadio Mane’s straight red card.\u00a0<\/inline><\/p>\n

The result played a significant role in Southampton\u00a0finishing the season in sixth place and securing Europa League football<\/inline><\/p>\n\n

Key Battle<\/strong><\/inline><\/p>\n

Nathan Redmond vs Stoke Defence<\/strong><\/inline><\/p>\n

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\"Southampton<\/div>\n

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Despite scoring only one goal in his last eight appearances Nathan Redmond has the ability to unlock the Potters ageing defence with his pace and desire to run in behind.<\/inline><\/p>\n

With the Stoke back-line leaking goals in recent weeks, Redmond – eight goals and one assist this season – can prove instrumental in creating space for his teammates in the final third by occupying a number of Stoke defenders as the Saints aim to break their four match scoring drought at home.\u00a0<\/inline><\/p>\n\n

Team News<\/strong><\/inline><\/p>\n

Cedric Soares was substituted for the home side with twenty minutes remaining in the stalemate against Manchester United\u00a0after reportedly picking up a knock, and could be a doubt for Sunday. Shane Long will likely face a fitness test after sustaining\u00a0an ankle injury.<\/inline><\/p>\n

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\"Stoke<\/div>\n

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The visitors have only one injury concern with\u00a0Arnautovic likely to miss the Potters last game after suffering a suspected fracture in his right arm following a challenge on Arsenal’s Rob Holding in his side’s 4-1 defeat at the Emirates.\u00a0<\/inline><\/p>\n\n

Predicted Lineups<\/strong><\/inline><\/p>\n

Southampton: <\/strong>Forster, Bertrand, Stephens, Yoshida, Cedric, Romeu, Davis,\u00a0<\/inline>Ward-Prowse,\u00a0Redmond, Tadic, Gabbiadini\u00a0<\/inline><\/p>\n

Stoke City: <\/strong>Butland, Pieters, Martins Indi, Shawcross, Johnson, Shaqiri, Whelan,\u00a0Cameron, Allen, Berahino, Crouch<\/inline><\/p>\n\n

Prediction<\/inline><\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"Southampton<\/div>\n

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Both sides may have their flip-flops at the ready but the beach will have to take a backseat as both side’s face one last test in their league campaign.<\/inline><\/p>\n

Although Southampton have struggled to score at home\u00a0<\/inline>Stoke’s defence is in a poor run of form, conceding<\/inline> 16 goals in their last nine games, and with little to play for the game will likely lack urgency and intensity.<\/inline><\/p>\n

Southampton 1 – 0 Stoke City<\/strong><\/p>\n

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