Southampton midfielder Sofiane Boufal. (Photo : Getty Images)
Middling clubs Stoke City FC (5-6-4, 19 points) and Southampton FC (5-5-5, 20 points) are set to meet each other in a 2016-2017 Premier League season match at the Bet 365 Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 14 as both teams try to improve their respective records.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 3:00 p.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru FuboTV.
Stoke City has been inconsistent in their last six outings with three wins, two losses, and one draw. The team is currently in the 11th spot of the English top flight table, only one point behind Southampton and seven points above the bottom three relegation zone.
The Potters were thrashed by powerhouse team Arsenal, 1-3, on the road at the Emirates Stadium last Saturday to snap their two-game winning run, as per the Telegraph.
It was head coach Mark Hughes' squad who actually struck first with a successful penalty kick by Scottish midfielder Charlie Adam in the 29th minute off a foul by Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka.
The Gunners were able to level the count three minutes before the halftime break with a goal by striker Theo Walcott.
Arsenal then went into high gear in the second half, scoring two goals in the 49th and 75th minutes courtesy of Mesut Özil and Alex Iwobi to complete their three-goal haul as Stoke City went scoreless after the restart.
Meanwhile, Southampton nipped newly-promoted side Middlesbrough at their home field of St. Mary's Stadium last Sunday, Goal reported.
After a goalless first half of play, Moroccan attacking midfielder Sofiane Boufal scored the winning goal in the 53rd minute for head coach Claude Puel's side with a left-footed shot from the side of the box.
It was the Saints' second win in their last three games as the team climbed to the 10th place in the overall standings, seven points below fifth-place team Tottenham Hotspur who currently occupies the Europa League qualifying berth for next season.
Prediction and Predicted Lineup
The predicted result is a close 2-1 decision for Southampton.
Stoke City starting lineup (3-4-2-1 formation): Grant; Muniesa, Martins Indi, Johnson; Pieters, Adam, Imbula, Diouf; Arnautovic, Shaqiri; Allen
Southampton starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Forster; McQueen, van Dijk, Fonte, Martina; Ward-Prowse, Clasie, Romeu; Boufal, Tadic, Rodriguez
