EPL: Southampton v Stoke preview

Southampton v Stoke preview

Peter Crouch is back in the Stoke squad as they visit Southampton in a relegation six-pointer in the Premier League on Saturday.

Southampton start the weekend only out of the relegation zone on goal difference having only won five games this season in the Premier League.

This is their joint fewest points after 28 games of a season since promotion back to Premier League ahead of the 12/13 season.

Meanwhile, Stoke's 10-year run in the Premier League is under threat as they sit second bottom with 10 games to go.

They have kept the fewest clean sheets in the Premier League this season (4) - however, they have tightened up recently since Paul Lambert took over, keeping two clean sheets in their last five games.

 

Stoke won the reverse fixture 2-1 at St Mary's earlier this season when substitute Crouch scored the winner five minutes from time.

 

Saints striker Shane Long and captain Steven Davis have both missed the last two matches and are doubts while Maya Yoshida and Charlie Austin remain sidelined.

Stoke have captain Ryan Shawcross and striker Crouch available again.

Both players have had ankle injuries with Shawcross missing last week's draw at Leicester and Crouch the last two games.

Danish goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard is likely to be on the bench with Lee Grant (broken wrist) sidelined while midfielder Stephen Ireland (calf) is still out.