Southampton v Stoke: Team news, predictions, odds, statistics, quotes & kick-off time

The game kicks off at 1500 BST at St Mary's.

Southampton v Stoke City: Our prediction  

Nick Hext writes... Southampton’s clash against Stoke is one of the main contenders to end up last on the Match of the Day running order in the small hours of Sunday night.

Eighth hosts 14th in the Premier League at St Mary's with the very hefty sums of prize money for finishing positions the only real non-pride-related incentive for either side. 

Both of these clubs have also stuttered to the chequered flag to further whet the appetite for this showdown. 

Southampton have only beaten second-bottom Middlesbrough in their last seven outings and Hull are the only club that Stoke have got the better of in their previous 10 games. 

Saints boss Claude Puel is set to be wished the best with his future endeavours once the campaign is over. A harsh decision given a top half finish and EFL Cup final appearance will go on his CV but not one that should hinder the club’s continuing upward momentum. 

Mark Hughes doesn’t have any immediate worries about his position in charge of Stoke but the Potters have stagnated this season and it won’t take much more of a downturn to join the relegation contenders in 12 months. 

The Welshman will be given the chance to get things back on track and a win for Stoke would at least end the campaign on a positive note. 

Southampton are priced up as unappealing favourites to get the victory but there isn’t anything at all to like about Stoke’s performances in the last couple of months so the upset doesn’t interest me either. 

Back a low-scoring draw if you are after an interest but it isn’t an encounter for anybody outside of those directly involved in it to spend too long thinking about.  

Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Stoke City

Southampton v Stoke City: Team news

Forward Shane Long will miss Southampton's final match of the season against Stoke at St Mary's Stadium with a broken metatarsal.

Cedric Soares, who was substituted in the goalless draw against Manchester United on Wednesday, and Ryan Bertrand are both doubts.

Charlie Austin is pushing for his first start since December.

Marko Arnautovic looks set to miss out for Stoke.

The midfielder had to be substituted against Arsenal last weekend following a shoulder charge from Rob Holding, which earned the Gunners defender a yellow card, and he has subsequently had a plaster cast fitted around his elbow.

Ibrahim Afellay (knee) and Stephen Ireland (broken leg) are long-term absentees for the Potters.

Teams:

Southampton (from): Forster, Hassan, Soares, Martina, Pied, Yoshida, Stephens, Targett, Caceres, Bertrand, McQueen, Romeu, Hojbjerg, Davis, Clasie, Ward-Prowse, Tadic, Boufal, Redmond, Rodriguez, Gabbiadini, Sims, Austin.

Stoke (from): Butland, Grant, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Johnson, Pieters, Bardsley, Muniesa, Cameron, Whelan, Adam, Imbula, Allen, Shaqiri, Sobhi, Walters, Crouch, Berahino, Diouf, Bony.

Southampton v Stoke City: Manager quotes 

Claude Puel (Southampton)

On his future: "I am under contract and I am comfortable with Southampton.

"My work and my wish, is just to stay concentrated about this last game and finish well.

"We have an opportunity to finish up in the table and it's a good thing after this long and difficult season. We are lucky about this and that is the most important thing."

On reports of a falling-out with key players: "I keep my conversation about the team private, and to prepare for this last game.

"Other things I don't want to comment about. I don't know what it is, and it's not interesting for me to comment.

"Just the other day, I saw good work in training and good concentration and this is the most important for me.

"I am satisfied about the strong work all season because it's a long season with many games. Sometimes it was fantastic, and they always give a good attitude and good spirit in every training session and every game, sometimes without the good reward.

"I say congratulations for all this good work all season."

Mark Hughes (Stoke City)

On Stoke's efforts to sign Bruno Martins Indi on a permanent deal: "We are still discussing the deal and speaking to Porto. Clearly, Bruno is still their player, so we can only dictate and influence that situation up to a point and we have to be patient with it.

"It's a little bit frustrating though, I have to say, because Bruno has been fantastic this year. But there isn't just us and Bruno to satisfy.

"We are still talking about how we can move it forward but there's a little bit of an impasse at the moment.

"We want to improve our defensive positions this summer. We haven't spent a great deal of money in defensive areas since I have been here, so we will look to do that this year."

On ending the campaign on a high against Southampton: "In terms of our own well being, it would be better to go into the summer on the back of a victory.

"We have one more opportunity to get more points on the board and we will look to do that on Sunday.

"It's fair to say that we haven't hit our targets this season, so it is disappointing. It isn't disastrous though, I don't feel.

"Everybody wants to be stimulated by progressive seasons, and of the four I have been here this is the first that we have fallen short."

Southampton v Stoke City: Opta facts

o These two teams have met nine times in the Premier League; with them both winning two apiece and drawing the other five.

o This fixture has seen three red cards in the last five games in all competitions; including each of the last two Premier League contests.

o Southampton hosted Stoke City on the last day of the season in the 2012-13 campaign; when Rickie Lambert equalised after current Stoke City striker Peter Crouch opened the scoring for the Potters.

o 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.

o After losing each of their first three Premier League final day contests, Stoke are unbeaten in their last five (W3 D2), including wins in each of the last three.

Southampton v Stoke City: Sky Bet odds  

Southampton are odds-on with Sky Bet at 3/4 to bag the home win, with Stoke priced at 7/2 and the draw is 14/5. Manolo Gabbiadini is the favourite to score first at 7/2, for the away side Peter Crouch and Saido Berahino are priced at 15/2. The Saints are 66/1 outsiders to fall into the bottom half this season, while for Stoke a top-half finish next season is priced at 11/4.

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