Eng. Championship
2026-08-22 - Southampton vs Stoke City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Saturday 22nd August 2026 - Kick Off 3pm
Southampton
There will have been no panic after the disappointing 2-1 defeat at Vicarage Road last weekend and that is largely down to the individual mistakes that placed Southampton in a first half hole. They fought back and missed some very good chances to at least earn a point, and Southampton should still be confident in that similar efforts will be rewarded with plenty of positive results in the months ahead.
It would be beneficial if the summer transfer window was already closed by the time the Championship gets underway and Southampton are trying to hold onto key players as they try and return to the Premier League. 'Spygate' continues to cast a shadow over the club, but no one will be using excuses for another poor result as Southampton play at St Mary's for the first time in 2026/27 having compiled a 12-8-3 record here last time around.
Southampton had a long unbeaten run in the Championship come to an end in the opening day defeat at Watford and it will have been a tough week on the training ground. Not only are The Saints unbeaten in 13 at home in all competitions, but the side have won 10 of those fixtures played.
Stoke City
The Premier League begins this weekend and Mark Robins will wondering what might have been for himself having guided Coventry City into a position to fight for a return to the top flight. He ultimately came short with a Play Off Final defeat and was replaced by Frank Lampard a couple of years later before pitching up at Stoke City where Robins has struggled to put a similar formula together.
The Potters had spent ten years in the Premier League and had even played in European Football, but this is now the ninth consecutive season in the Championship. Ambitions in the fanbase have always been high, but Stoke City have struggled to match those on the field and it is quite remarkable to state that they have not finished above 14th in the second tier over that nine season period.
Stoke City may fear another difficult season is coming up after losing 1-2 at home to Swansea City last weekend, although they have progressed in the League Cup. The defeat on the opening weekend means Stoke City have lost 6 of the last 7 League games played, including the last 5 in a row. The side finished last season without a win in any of the last 9 away Championship games played and Stoke City lost the last 7 on the bounce.
Head to Head
Both Southampton and Stoke City beat the other away from home last season.
Southampton have won just 1 of the last 6 home games against this opponent and have lost 4 times in that run.
Prediction
Both teams suffered disappointing 2-1 defeats on the opening weekend and will be looking to make amends when the second round of fixtures are played in the Championship.
Southampton and Stoke City have very different ambitions for the season, although the former still have to deal with the consequences of 'Spygate' with the final punishment yet to be decided.
More pressure for Southampton is keeping hold of key players within the squad before the transfer window closes and adding a couple of players to bolster options. They played well enough last week at Watford, but losses of concentration proved costly and Southampton also have to appreciate how tough they have found facing Stoke City at home in recent years.
Mark Robins' team lost at home last week in a tight game, but that does mean the poor form from the end of last season has carried into this one. Stoke City can play with the freedom of knowing the onus is on Southampton to get forward and produce a positive result, but containing the home team will not be easy and you have to believe the poor run against The Potters can be snapped with a solid home victory.
The Pick :
Southampton 2-1 Stoke City
