Southampton vs Stoke City Predictions

• Stoke lost 11 of their visits to the 16 sides above them last season
• The Potters fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Swansea last week
• Southampton won 20 of 33 matches under Eckert last season

Bounceback game for Saints

With Southampton starting the season on -4 points, they were targeting a victory at Watford last weekend to wipe out a big chunk of that deficit in their opening game. Things didn’t go to plan in Tonda Eckert’s first league game post-spygate, as they were 2-0 down at Vicarage Road by half-time.

The Saints did rally in the second half, generating 1.4 xG to Watford’s 0.24 after the break. That was an encouraging finish, and they can return to winning ways if they carry it over to Saturday’s clash with Stoke City.

After years of failing to deliver on preseason promotion ambitions, few expected much from Stoke this term. They fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Swansea last week, and things aren’t getting any easier for Mark Robins’ side.

Stoke had a dire record on the road last season, and they suffered 11 defeats in 16 trips to the teams that finished above them.

The Potters made a fast start to last season, which saw them win at Will Still’s Saints. However, Southampton won more Championship points than any other side since Eckert took charge last November.

Southampton have the quality to factor into the promotion race once again, and they can return to winning ways this weekend.