Preview: Stoke City vs. Southampton

In-form Stoke City host battling Southampton on Saturday in the Premier League.

Stoke had three consecutive draws before a very strong showing against Liverpool on Boxing Day when they won 3-1 with two goals from Jonathan Walters.

Southampton scored a late penalty to draw 1-1 with Fulham at Craven Cottage for their fourth point from a possible nine.

For Stoke, both Geoff Cameron and Ryan Shawcross are suspended after picking up a fifth yellow card against Liverpool. There are no new injury concerns, but Michael Owen is still trying to prove his fitness.

Southampton manager Nigel Adkins has no fresh concerns and could well pick the same side that battled to the point at Fulham.

Recent form

Stoke: WWDDDW

Southampton: WDLWLD

Possible starting lineups:

Stoke: Begovic; Shotton, Upson, Huth, Wilkinson; N'Zonzi, Whelan; Kightly, Walters, Etherington; Jones

Southampton: Davis; Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Shaw; Schneiderlin, Cork, Davis, Puncheon; Ramirez; Lambert

Sports Mole says: 2-0