Southampton vs. Stoke City: lineups, team news, and predictions
Senior Reporter Ben Knapton Published: October 27, 2024 | 09:47
Last modified at 20:33 on October 28, 2024
Southampton is taking a much-needed vacation from Premier League play as they aim to advance to the EFL Cup quarterfinals when Stoke City visits St Mary’s on Tuesday.
The Saints advanced to the round of 16 of this season’s competition by defeating Everton on penalties, while their Championship rivals defeated Fleetwood Town from 12 yards out as well.
The EFL Cup has given Russell Martin’s team two heart-boosting victories, first a thrilling 5-3 victory against Cardiff City and then a fantastic night at Goodison, giving Southampton a tiny break in an otherwise awful 2024–25 campaign thus far.
Abdoulaye Doucoure was one of six Saints players to score from the penalty spot after Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ header negated his own aerial attempt. Alex McCarthy then pulled off the surprise by saving from fellow veteran Ashley Young.
The result of that shootout victory means that Tuesday’s hosts have now advanced to the EFL Cup last 16 in three of the previous four seasons. However, they have lost three of their previous four trips to this point, with their 2022–2023 run serving as an anomaly.
The Saints’ Premier League victory counter is still at zero after nine gameweeks this season, despite Martin’s team defeating top-flight opponents in the previous EFL Cup round. On Saturday, an early goal from Erling Haaland punished them to a 1-0 loss at champions Manchester City.
The Southampton manager, who currently has the support of the ruling class, could certainly give himself and his team kudos for their brave performance at the Etihad, but the Championship playoff winners have now lost four straight games before Tuesday’s knockout match.
After receiving a milestone booking during Southampton’s defeat to Man City, head coach Martin will be serving a touchline ban on Tuesday, which is arguably the most noteworthy Southampton team news to come from the dugout rather than the field.
Another Saint departs and one sits on the sinners’ step. Ryan Fraser, who was sent off in the most recent loss to Leicester City, is eligible to play again and is most likely to start this one.
However, Gavin Bazunu (Achilles), Ross Stewart (calf), and Will Smallbone (thigh) are all out. Flynn Downes and Charlie Taylor, the latter of whom had a “niggle” during Under-21 play, will also need to be checked.
Although none of Stoke’s four players—Sam Gallagher (calf), Bosun Lawal (back), Lynden Gooch (ligament), and Ben Pearson (hamstring)—should return from their separate injuries on Tuesday, all four are expected to do so by the end of November.
Pelach made one halftime substitution during Saturday’s defeat at Bramall Lane, replacing Tom Cannon up top with Bae Jun-ho, however it appeared to be a tactical move on the part of the Potters head coach.
Although Cannon, who is owned by Leicester City, has four goals this season and should return to his role against Premier League opponents, Bae, Niall Ennis, and Emre Tezgel are also viable options for the last third.
Southampton vs Stoke City kick-off time & stadium
| Date: | October 29, 2024 |
| Kick-off time: | 2:45 pm ET |
| Venue: | St. Mary’s Stadium |
The Carabao Cup match between Southampton and Stoke City will be played at St. Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, England.
It will kick off at 2:45 pm ET on Tuesday, October 29, in the US.
Southampton possible starting lineup:
McCarthy; Bree, Wood, Harwood-Bellis, Manning; Ugochukwu, Aribo; Cornet, Lallana, Fraser; Armstrong
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Tchamadeu, Gibson, Phillips, Rose, Bocat; Manhoef, Burger, Thompson, Koumas; Cannon
