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THE MATCH
Southampton vs Stoke City
Sunday 20th May, 3.00pm BST
St Mary’s
Premier League
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
After their 0-0 draw with Manchester United on Wednesday, Claude Puel’s men know victory would secure a place in the top eight of the Premier League.
Saints will be hoping to find their clinical edge again on the final day of the season, against a Stoke City side who are unbeaten in their last five final day encounters (W3 D2), including wins in each of the last three.
Mark Hughes’ men will also be looking to end strongly after a frustrating campaign that will see them finish in the bottom half for the first time since 2012/13.
TEAM NEWS
Southampton: Claude Puel has hinted that Charlie Austin could feature from the start against Stoke. That aside, Shane Long will be sidelined with a broken metatarsal, while Cédric and Ryan Bertrand are doubts.
Stoke City: Mark Hughes will make a late decision on the fitness of Marko Arnautovic after he suffered an elbow injury following a heavy challenge with Arsneal’s Rob Holding. Peter Crouch and Saido Berahino are also pushing for starts.
FORM GUIDE
Southampton’s previous five:
Manchester United (h) D 0-0
Middlesbrough (a) W 2-1
Arsenal (h) L 2-0
Liverpool (a) D 0-0
Hull City (h) D 0-0
Stoke City’s previous five:
Arsenal (h) L 4-1
AFC Bournemouth (a) D 2-2
West Ham (h) D 0-0
Swansea City (a) L 2-0
Hull City (h) 3-1
TOP PERFORMERS
After another clean sheet, young defender Jack Stephens continues to improve with valuable Premier League game time. In truth, Manchester United rarely threatened aside from Anthony Martial striking the post and he has been key in recent weeks.
Top scorers: Charlie Austin (9), Nathan Redmond (8)
Most assists: Dušan Tadić (7), James Ward-Prowse (5), Ryan Bertrand (4)
Lee Grant sccoped three awards at Stoke City’s Player of the Year awards after a superb debut season in the Midlands.
Elsewhere, former Saint Peter Crouch netted in the defeat to Arsenal last time out and could cause a threat should he start at St Mary’s.
Top scorers: Peter Crouch (9), Marko Arnautovic (7), Joe Allen (6)
Most assists: Marko Arnautovic (6), Joe Allen (3), Charlie Adam (3)
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
All-time record:
Played: 71
Southampton: 30
Draws: 14
Stoke City: 27
Previous four meetings:
December 2016: Stoke City 0-0 Southampton
March 2016: Stoke City 1-2 Southampton (Pelle 2)
November 2015: Southampton 0-1 Stoke City
April 2015: Stoke City 2-1 Southampton (Schneiderlin)
DID YOU KNOW?
Southampton have lost just once in 10 final day home games in the Premier League (W5 D4), a loss against Manchester United in 2005 which confirmed relegation for Southampton.
These two teams have met nine times in the Premier League; with them both winning two apiece and drawing the other five.
NOT AT THE GAME?
Can’t make it to St Mary’s? Our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com will have all the build-up, as well as in-game updates and free live audio commentary.
Additionally, be sure to follow us on our various social channels for behind-the-scenes access and further updates.
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