Read our Southampton vs Stoke prediction, predicted lineups, and top bet builder tips. Explore latest match odds, team news, and stats for the game.
Southampton vs Stoke Match Summary
Competition | Championship |
|---|---|
Match Date | Saturday 22 August 2026 |
Match Time | 15:00 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Southampton, St. Mary's Stadium |
Southampton host Stoke at St. Mary's Stadium on Saturday, both sides chasing a first win of the Championship season after opening-weekend defeats left them near the foot of the early table.
The Saints started their 2026-27 campaign with a 2-1 loss at Watford and carry a four-point deduction, meaning Tonda Eckert's side badly need points on their first home league outing.
Stoke arrive stinging from a 2-1 home defeat to Swansea, with the Potters unable to hold an early Eric Bocat lead as their reshaped squad searches for cohesion.
These sides split their two Championship meetings last season, Stoke winning 2-1 at St. Mary's before Southampton returned the favour 2-0 at the bet365 Stadium.
Southampton vs Stoke Form
Southampton opened the season with a 2-1 defeat at Watford on 16 August, Cyle Larin grabbing the Saints' goal. Eckert's team still dominated the ball, completing 88% of their passes with 66% possession, but that control has yet to translate into results as they look to bounce back at home.
Stoke are in a rut heading south, having lost each of their last five Championship matches and conceded at least twice in every one of them. A 2-1 opening-day loss to Swansea, despite Bocat's early strike, underlined the defensive frailty Mark Robins must fix quickly.
Southampton vs Stoke Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Southampton: Caspar Jander (Injured/doubtful)
Stoke: Aaron Cresswell (Injured/out), Lamine Cissé (Injured/out), Bosun Lawal (Injured/doubtful), Junior Tchamadeu (Unfit), Ato Ampah (Unfit)
Southampton
Finn Azaz was only fit enough to make the bench last weekend but could return to the starting XI on Saturday, a switch that would see Kuryu Matsuki drop out. Midfielder Caspar Jander remains the Saints' only fitness concern for their first home league game of the season.
Stoke
Defender Bosun Lawal will be assessed after picking up a knock against Swansea, while Lamine Cissé remains in the treatment room. There is better news elsewhere, with Junior Tchamadeu and Ato Ampah back in training, and Maksym Talovierov expected to step into the back line at St. Mary's.
Southampton vs Stoke Predicted Lineup
Southampton
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: Peretz; Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Manning; Bragg, Downes; Scienza, Azaz, Dobbin; Larin
Stoke
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: Johansson; Wilmot, Graham, Talovierov, Bocat; Ingelsson, Galbraith; Manhoef, Rigo, Thomas; Gallagher
Southampton vs Stoke Key Stats & Match Facts
Stoke have lost each of their last five Championship matches.
Stoke have conceded at least two goals in each of their last five Championship matches.
Southampton completed 88% of their passes and enjoyed 66% possession in their opening-day fixture against Watford.
Stoke signed midfielder Ethan Galbraith from Swansea City for £10 million ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
Ben Brereton has attempted 2+ shots in 7 of his last 7 appearances against Stoke in the Championship.
Southampton vs Stoke Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: Southampton are clear favourites at home and, given Stoke's leaky defence, there is a strong case for the Saints to get their season up and running. Our prediction is a 2-0 Southampton vs Stoke result, with the hosts priced at 8/13 with William Hill.
Best Bets
Both Teams To Score - Yes in Southampton vs Stoke. The numbers point to goals at both ends, with a projected 2.91 total match score and a 55% implied probability of both sides scoring at St. Mary's. Stoke have found the net in each of their outings but keep shipping goals, which makes this angle appealing.
Lewis Dobbin Over 2.5 Player Shots in Southampton vs Stoke. The Southampton attacking midfielder carries a strong shots profile, and with Stoke having conceded at least two goals in each of their last five Championship matches, Dobbin faces a defence that invites pressure from wide areas all afternoon.
Southampton vs Stoke Bet Builder
Our four-leg bet builder leans on two Southampton attackers who have a strong record against Stoke: Ben Brereton for shots and shots on target, plus Finn Azaz for a shot on target and a card.
Ben Brereton Over 1.5 shots is the anchor, with the forward having attempted 2+ shots in 7 of his last 7 appearances against Stoke in the Championship.
Ben Brereton Over 0.5 shots on target follows naturally, given he has hit the target in 6 of those same 7 outings against the Potters at Championship level.
Finn Azaz Over 0.5 shots on target adds a second creative threat, as he has registered 1+ shot on target in every one of his 4 Championship meetings with Stoke.
Finn Azaz to be shown a card rounds off the four, with the midfielder booked in 2 of his 3 Championship fixtures against Stoke.
At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 14/1 and is as short as 14/1 elsewhere. That's a difference in potential winnings of £7 from best to worst price.
Make sure to get the best odds on your Bet Builder with Oddschecker's Exclusive Bet Builder Comparison Tool.
Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
Southampton vs Stoke Talking Points
This is a fixture defined by two sides desperate to steady themselves. Southampton begin the campaign with a four-point deduction hanging over them, and Eckert has already released a lengthy video taking personal responsibility for the compliance breach, with owner Dragan Solak publicly backing his head coach. On the pitch the Saints have the tools, dominating possession at Watford, but need to turn control into goals. Stoke's problems are more fundamental. Five straight Championship defeats and two goals conceded in each tells its own story, and Robins admits his reshaped squad, freshened by the £10 million signing of Ethan Galbraith and the sale of Tatsuki Seko, needs time. That context hands the hosts a clear advantage in this fixture.
Southampton vs Stoke Predictions FAQs
What is the prediction for Southampton vs Stoke?
Check our match preview for detailed analysis, predicted outcomes, and key match statistics for Southampton vs Stoke.
What are the best betting tips for Southampton vs Stoke?
Our preview covers recommended bet builder picks and key value angles for the Southampton vs Stoke clash.
Where is Southampton vs Stoke being played?
The match will take place at St. Mary's Stadium in Southampton.
Where can I find the lineups for Southampton vs Stoke?
Predicted starting lineups, team news, and player availability for both Southampton and Stoke are provided in our match preview.
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