Southampton midfielder Dusan Tadic. (Photo : Getty Images)
A projected hard-fought 2015-2016 Premier League match between middling clubs Southampton FC (5-2-5, 20 points) and Stoke City FC (4-4-4, 16 points) is scheduled to be held at the St. Mary's Stadium on November 21st, Saturday.
The two teams are coming off morale-boosting victories before the international break, which is an indication that both will go all-out in this much-anticipated encounter.
Southampton had never been beaten in the last two months and they wish to continue their undefeated streak to seven games against the Potters.
The Saints' most recent match was a 1-0 escape from a desperate Sunderland eleven at their Stadium of Light home field on November 7th, via the Telegraph.
Serbian midfielder Dušan Tadić scored the lone goal for Ronald Koeman's side with a penalty kick at the 69th minute before holding on the defensive for the final 21 minutes.
Meanwhile, Stoke City condemned defending champs Chelsea to their seventh loss of the season, 1-0, at the Britannia Stadium also on November 7th, as per BBC Sport.
Blues manager Jose Mourinho was not in the field serving a one-game ban for ranting on a referee during last month's defeat to West Ham. He was also fined £40,000 by the FA for his misconduct.
Austrian striker Marko Arnautović provided the lone goal for Mark Hughes' squad to give them a much-needed three points in the overall standings.
The prediction is a close 2-1 victory for Southampton. The Saints will continue to be unbeaten for the seventh straight time in this match.
Southampton starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Stekelenburg; Fonte, Bertrand, Yoshida, van Dijk; Mané, Davis; Tadic, Clasie, Ward-Prowse; Pellè
Stoke City starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Butland; Shawcross, Johnson, Wollscheid, Pieters; Whelan, Shaqiri; Adam, Bojan, Arnautovic; Walters
