Match Pack: Saints vs Stoke
Saints are preparing for their final home game of the regular season, with Stoke City the visitors. Here's everything you need ahead of the clash with our Match Pack...
THE MATCH
Saints vs Stoke
Sky Bet Championship
St Mary's Stadium
Saturday 27th April, 3pm BST
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: David Webb
Assistants: Mark Stevens, Carl Fitch-Jackson
Fourth official: Gavin Ward
WHERE TO WATCH
Due to the 3pm blackout, fans in the UK and Ireland will not be able to watch the action on Saints Play. However the service is available to those tuning in across the rest of the world:
Alternatively, fans both internationally and in the UK and Ireland can purchase an audio pass which will cover the month for £4.49:
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
As we enter the final home game of the regular season, Russell Martin will be looking for his side to show what's got them to this position in front of a sold out St Mary's after what's been a testing week.
Victory on Saturday would go some into building confidence and excitement ahead of the play-off schedule, which holds the ultimate prize for Saints.
Visiting Stoke have lost just once in their last five games as they continue to pick up form in their push for survival.
Three points for Steven Schumacher's side could point them level with Watford and Millwall in 15th and 16th place above them respectively.
TEAM NEWS
Martin offered a positive update on a trio of players, with Flynn Downes and Joe Rothwell both part of the squad despite recent injuries.
Elsewhere Sékou Mara will once again be part of the side following his suspension, whilst Ross Stewart is nearing a much anticipated return.
THE MANAGERS
Russell Martin: "We have a chance to put things right tomorrow. We have to make sure we finish the season with achieving what we want to achieve. Tomorrow is not about preparing for the play-offs, it’s about winning and getting points on the board. It’s about finishing things off in the right way.
"Playing against Steven’s team’s before they’ll be aggressive. He’s a very, very good manager. I’m convinced they won’t come here and be negative in their approach."
Steven Schumacher: “It won’t be an easy game because they have unbelievable players for this level and have shown at times that they can be one of the best teams in possession, who can hurt you from different angles.
"They will be up for it and we need to make sure that we are as well. We are going to one of the best teams in the division, a team who have an incredibly strong home record and we have to prepare like it is the biggest game of the season, which it could be”
TOP SCORERS
Southampton
Goals:
Adam Armstrong 20
Ché Adams 18
Ryan Fraser 8
Assists:
Adam Armstrong 13
Stuart Armstrong 7
Adams, Brooks 5
Stoke
Goals:
André Vidigal 7
Mmaee, Burger, Hoever 4
Léris, Laurent, Baker 3
Assists:
Bae Jun-Ho 5
Mmaee, Burger 4
Hoever, Léris, Laurent 3
ONES TO WATCH
Sékou Mara: After missing the last three games through suspension, the young Frenchman will be eager to make an impression ahead of the crucial play-off schedule.
All five of his goal involvements this season have come at St Mary's Stadium, so Martin will be hoping he gives his attack a different element on Saturday.
Ki-Jana Hoever: It's no coincidence Stoke's recent run of form has come at a time where right-sided Ki-Jana Hoever has been at his best.
In the last six games, the Dutchman has scored three goals, registering one assist, with his side losing just once during that run.
HEAD TO HEAD
Played: 79
Saints: 35
Draws: 15
Stoke: 30
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
October 2023: Stoke 0-1 Saints (S Armstrong)
March 2018: Saints 0-0 Stoke
September 2017: Stoke 2-1 Saints (Yoshida)
May 2017: Saints 0-1 Stoke
December 2016: Stoke 0-0 Saints
March 2016: Stoke 1-2 Saints (Pelle x2)
DID YOU KNOW?
- Across his last two Championship campaigns (2020-21 with Blackburn, this season with Southampton), Adam Armstrong has been involved in 42 goals in 42 home appearances (30 goals, 12 assists), assisting a goal in each of his last two at St Mary’s.
- Southampton have scored 54 Championship goals at St Mary’s Stadium this season, their most at home in a league campaign since scoring 69 goals in the 1963-64 season.
KEEP UP TO DATE
Unable to join us at St Mary's? We’ve got you covered! We’ll bring you all the behind-the-scenes content alongside the in-game action as Saints host Stoke.
Check out our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com, with live streaming of the game, key updates and audio commentary of the match, and be sure to download the official Saints app and follow us on social media for further updates and exclusive content:
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