As Southampton gears up to face Stoke City at St Mary’s on Tuesday night, they aim for a spot in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup, taking a much-needed break from Premier League duty.
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The Saints previously triumphed over Everton in a thrilling penalty shootout, while Stoke City also advanced by defeating Fleetwood Town in a tense contest that required spot-kicks.
Match Overview
The EFL Cup has offered a glimmer of hope in Southampton’s otherwise challenging 2024-25 season, where they have struggled in the Championship.
Their recent performances include a 5-3 win against Cardiff City, followed by a memorable penalty shootout victory at Goodison Park against Everton.
After Taylor Harwood-Bellis equalized with a header, the Saints converted all six penalties, with Alex McCarthy making a crucial save against Ashley Young to secure their spot in the last 16.
Despite their EFL Cup success, Southampton’s league form remains concerning. They are yet to register a win in the Premier League after nine matches, following a narrow 1-0 loss to Manchester City, where they performed commendably despite the defeat.
However, they enter this knockout tie on the back of four consecutive losses in all competitions, increasing the pressure on manager Russell Martin, who still retains the backing of the club hierarchy.
Stoke City arrives at St Mary’s also buoyed by their own EFL Cup heroics, overcoming Fleetwood Town on penalties after a last-minute equalizer from their opponents.
While the Potters have shown resilience in cup competitions, their league performance has been less impressive, with only one win in their last seven Championship matches.
A recent 2-0 loss to Sheffield United ended a four-match unbeaten streak for Stoke, leaving them in 19th place in the Championship, just above the relegation zone.
However, Stoke can draw confidence from their recent record against Southampton, having won three of their last five encounters, including a 1-0 victory at St Mary’s in April.
Team News
For Southampton, the most significant news comes from the sidelines as manager Russell Martin will serve a touchline ban due to a booking received in the loss to Manchester City.
Ryan Fraser is set to return after serving a suspension, making him a likely starter. However, the Saints will miss the services of Gavin Bazunu (Achilles), Ross Stewart (calf), and Will Smallbone (thigh).
There are also concerns over Flynn Downes, who picked up a knock against City.
Stoke City manager Narcis Pelach has his own injury woes, with Sam Gallagher (calf), Bosun Lawal (back), Lynden Gooch (ligament), and Ben Pearson (hamstring) all unavailable for selection.
Each is expected to return in November, but for now, Pelach may rely on Tom Cannon, who remains the top scorer for the Potters this season with four goals.
Possible Lineups
Southampton: McCarthy; Bree, Wood, Harwood-Bellis, Taylor; Ugochukwu, Aribo; Cornet, Lallana, Fraser; Armstrong
Stoke City: Johansson; Tchamadeu, Gibson, Phillips, Rose, Bocat; Manhoef, Burger, Thompson, Koumas; Cannon
