Preview: Stoke City vs. Southampton

Stoke City will be hoping to secure their first Premier League victory in seven attempts when they host Southampton on Saturday.

Mark Hughes's side have lost four of their last six league games, including the 3-2 defeat at Manchester United last weekend.

However, the Potters come into this match off the back of a dramatic League Cup victory over Birmingham City on Tuesday evening.

Southampton are unbeaten in their last six league outings, drawing two and winning four during that run. Last Saturday's success over Fulham has moved them up to fifth place in the table, one point outside the Champions League places.

Stoke striker Peter Crouch could retain his place in attack after scoring in his last two appearances, while Asmir Begovic, Geoff Cameron and Stephen Ireland are expected to start after the trio were rested for the trip to Birmingham.

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the match and could name the same XI that beat Fulham.

Recent form

Stoke: DLLLDL

Southampton: DWWWDW

Possible starting lineups

Stoke: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Huth, Pieters; Walters, Palacios, Ireland, Nzonzi, Arnautovic; Crouch

Southampton: Boruc; Clyne, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw; Schneiderlin, Wanyama; Lallana, David, Rodriguez; Lambert

Sports Mole says: 1-2