Southampton face Stoke City at St Mary’s on Sunday, needing a crucial win to secure a top eight finish in the Premier League. Stoke, who sit in 14th, can only reach 11th if they take the spoils.
Saints are guaranteed a top ten finish, meaning they will have ended the season in the top ten for the fourth consecutive year. They played out a tense 0-0 draw with Manchester United on Wednesday, with United keeper Sergio Romero making a string of exceptional saves to keep the Saints at bay, including a Manolo Gabbiadini penalty, which added to Saints’ woes from the spot. With five points from their last four games, Saints hope to finish the season strongly and maintain their top ten status.
However, Stoke City have many talented players who will be standing in the way of the three points for Claude Puel’s men, with Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri pulling the strings of opposition players on numerous ocassions. Joe Allen has also been in fine form, holding the midfield together but also making himself a presence in front of goal, bagging six goals this season.
But the Stoke dangerman that Saints should be aware of takes the shape of 28-year-old Marko Arnautovic.
The Austrian forward, who has scored seven goals and got six assists this term, has been a stand-out performer for the Potters and has proved the difference in a few games this season.
His usual position is on the left wing, so Cedric Soares or Jeremy Pied can expect their hands to be full on Sunday and will need to be at their best to keep Arnautovic quiet.
Cedric, who picked up a knock against Manchester United on Wednesday, is a doubt for the game, so Jeremy Pied, who gave a good account of himself against The Red Devils, could start.
Saints will need to be on top form to grab the points against a Stoke side hoping to reward the travelling fans and end the season well.
As proven on many occasions in the past, it’s fair to say that this fixture could go either way.
