Southampton vs. Stoke City: Opposition threat
By Jack Deery
![LEICESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Paul Lambert, Manager of Stoke City applauds fans after the Premier League match between Leicester City and Stoke City at The King Power Stadium on February 24, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) LEICESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Paul Lambert, Manager of Stoke City applauds fans after the Premier League match between Leicester City and Stoke City at The King Power Stadium on February 24, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/26b0caa58fe989dda5069a5f7c901dd2d5cff2debdd1124070ea7166f113a80f.jpg)
Southampton face off against Stoke City this Saturday in a game that could be huge for teams at the wrong end of the table.
Stoke travel to a cold St. Mary’s in the hopes of a big three points to bring them out of the bottom three, whereas the Saints will be looking to further the gap between them and the relegation zone.
After a late equaliser from Manolo Gabbiadini against Burnley, Southampton were lifted up to 16th on goal difference. Stoke are coming off the back of a 1-1 draw against Leicester, a game in which they were unlucky to take all three points.
However, under the new management of Paul Lambert, Stoke are currently without a win in four and boast the leakiest defence in the Premier League. They have conceded 54 goals in 28 games, which ultimately could lead to their demise.
The reverse fixture earlier in the season ended with the Potters taking all three points after a late Peter Crouch winner gave them a 2-1 win. Mauricio Pellegrino will be hoping for a bit of revenge when the two teams meet this Saturday and with a few of the big teams to play a win is necessary if the Saints want to survive.
But who could cause Southampton problems on the weekend from the Stoke side? Our contributor Jack Deery gives his picks.