Premier League preview and odds: Stoke City vs Southampton

Published on: 14/12/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Stoke City vs Southampton

December 14, 2016 20:00pm - The Bet365 Stadium

Premier League

Table neighbours Stoke City and Southampton will jostle for position in the Premier League when the two sides go head-to-head at the Bet365 Stadium on Wednesday night.

In form Stoke looking to regain momentum

Stoke City are second to Chelsea in the Premier League form table over the last eight games. During that spell, Mark Hughes` men have picked up 16 points and risen from the relegation zone to 12th in the table.

The Potters` momentum was halted last weekend when they fell 3-1 at Arsenal and they will be looking for a response when they step out in front of their home crowd on Wednesday night. They have won three of their last four at the Bet365 Stadium, conceding just two goals ibn the process.

Meanwhile, Southampton`s status as the third-best defensive side in the league has been countered by their lack of firepower at the other end. In fact, only Middlesbrough have scored less goals than Claude Puel`s men.

The Saints are winless in four matches on the road and have lost their last two away games in a row. However, they do come into this game on the back of a 1-0 win at home to 16th-ranked Middlesbrough.

Key stats

10 of Stoke City`s 15 matches have produced under 2.5 goals.

10 of Southampton`s 15 matches have produced under 2.5 goals.

Team news

The home side continue to struggle with injuries and will be without several key players including Ryan Shawcross (calf), Phil Bardsley (knock), Geoff Cameron (knee), Jack Butland (ankle), Stephen Ireland (leg) and Ibrahim Affelay (ACL), while Marc Muniesa, Glen Johnson and Jonathan Walters are all doubtful.

Meanwhile, the visitors will continue without Charlie Austin (shoulder), Alex McCarthy (hamstring), Jake Hesketh (ankle), Matt Targett (hamstring) and Jermey Pied (knee).

Recent form (League):

Stoke City: LWWLD

Southampton: WLDWL

Betting odds and tips

With 20 of the 30 games involving these two teams this season having produced less than 2.5 goals this term. That looks like the stand out bet for this game.

You can back Under 2.5 Goals to Score at 8/13 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 14/12/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (14/12/2016 11:45:58) but are subject to change.