Eckert outlines what he expects at Stoke

SOUTHAMPTON boss Tonda Eckert expects a low-scoring game against a Stoke City side with a clear identity this weekend.

- Peter Smith

Stoke host Southampton in a lunchtime kickoff on Saturday (12.30pm) hoping to claw their way back into the Championship top six and Eckert has a good idea of what kind of match to expect.

Stoke's 29 league matches so far this term have involved 60 goals at either end, the lowest in the division, and Southampton think one strike could be enough to win it.

Eckert said: “They have a very clear identity. It’s a pragmatic team and I don’t intend to say that in a negative way. I think they are pragmatic in a positive way. They have a couple of injuries, I think some of them will come back.

“I think we need to use some moments to play off their pressure, control them on transitions.