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Joey - March 1, 2018
Southampton vs Stoke City
England – Premier League
Date: Saturday, 3 March 2018
Kick-Off 15:00 UK
Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium (Southampton).
Both Southampton and Stoke City have been struggling badly in this term of the Premier League coming into their weekend’s clash which has the ingredients of a relegation six-pointer. There is only a single point separating the two teams and that point makes all the difference between the survival and the drop to the second class at this stage.
Both teams drew 1-1 in their previous league outings. The Italian striker Manolo Gabbiadini saved the Saints bagging the stoppage-time leveller away at Turf Moor seven days ago, while the Potters dropped out a one-goal lead away at Leicester City.
Paul Lambert’s side still has massive issues when playing away from Bet365 Stadium where Stoke City are winless in last nine league matches. Most of these ties have seen the Potters on the losing end mainly because of the lack of meticulousness at the back. However, we must state that the Scottish manager seems to have managed to instil a bit of a fighting spirit about his men who look to be somewhat tougher to break down coming into this trip to Hampshire.
Since Southampton have been struggling for goals throughout the entire season, and given the importance of the match itself, we could be in for a very close affair with very few goal-scoring chances at both ends. Mauricio Pellegrino’s side has not bagged more than a single goal in any last seven home matches in the competition while Stoke City have shipped only four in last five league ties.
Trips to St. Mary’s Stadium have never been a pleasant experience for the Potters who have won just 4 and lost as many as 14 of 22 matches with Southampton there.
However, Stoke City come into this off the back of two wins and a draw in last three encounters with the Saints.
Three of last five H2H matches have seen less than two goals scored.
As we mentioned above, this is a genuine relegation six-pointer, and given both teams’ form we just can’t imagine a high-scoring affair here.
As for the outcome, the draw looks to be the most likable of three and we will back it at the odds of 3.75.
Under 2.5 goals FT @ 1.85
Draw @ 3.75
