OptiNews - Friday 29 September to Thursday 05 October 2017

Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Win a Coach Education Session with SportPesa

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Southampton’s Official Betting Partner SportPesa are offering a fantastic chance to enjoy a free Coach Education session in hospitality at St Mary’s.

SportPesa have 16 spaces in their corporate box up for grabs for Southampton’s game against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday 21st October (5.30pm kick-off).

As well as watching the game in style, the eight lucky winners and guests from their club will experience a coaching workshop delivered by Football Development Manager (Global) Andy Martino, with a focus on grassroots youth football.

Welcome drinks will be made available upon arrival at 3pm, with food and drink served ahead of kick-off.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply register your details below and you will be entered into the prize draw, with winners being informed by 5pm on Wednesday 11th October.

Good luck!

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Pre-match Quiz: Stoke City

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10 years ago, Southampton and Stoke were both competing in the Championship – but can you name the other 22 clubs to play in the Championship that season?

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 29/09/2017 12:29:39

| | Saints Could Be Heading To China - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |
| | Diouf Expecting Tough Southampton TestVITALFOOTBALL |
| | Defensive Issues For Hughes Ahead Of SouthamptonVITALFOOTBALL |
| | Money Troubles For The Premier League?VITALFOOTBALL |
|

| Inside Info: It may not be midweek, but Stoke City away is always difficultSBNATIONSTMARYSMUSINGS |
| | Pellegrino Praises Long ! But Call For Better Quality In The Final Third ! - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |
| | Pellegrino Hints At A Change In Formation ! - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

#SaintsFC can beat anyone on their day.”

@stokecity boss Mark Hughes offers the opposition view ahead of tomorrow… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/913751799231913984

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

On The Road: Stoke City

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Club Details

Address: bet365 Stadium, Stanley Matthews Way, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4EG

Telephone: 01782 367598

Capacity: 30,089

Website: www.stokecityfc.com

Nickname: The Potters

Home kit colours: Red and white

Away Supporters

Away fans are housed in blocks 40, 41 and 42 of the South Stand towards the Players Tunnel and Main Stand.

The teams access the pitch from one corner of the ground, between the South Stand and the West Stand. Approximately 2000 of our 2300 allocated tickets have been sold.

Getting There By Car

Leave the M6 at Junction 15 and take the second exit (straight on) at the first roundabout onto the A500. Exit the A500 at the second slip road and then keep to the right for the A50.

At the roundabout take the second exit (right) to join the A50 (stadium is signposted and visible on the sky-line to the right).

Once on the A50 take the first exit and head up the bank towards the traffic lights. Turn right at the traffic lights and head over the fly-over. Take the third exit (right) at the first roundabout, the first exit (left) at the second roundabout (the stadium is visible ahead) and the third exit (right) at the third roundabout to reach the main entrance to the stadium.

Car Parking

Access to the car parks is available from both the A50 and the junction for Stanley Matthews Way on Trentham Road (A5035).

Spaces are strictly limited to vehicles with parking permits for car parks North, West 1 and West 2. Signs also indicate coach and disabled parking.

Supporters without a car park pass have access to the Club’s South and Trent car parks on Stanley Matthews Way, with limited spaces sold on a strictly first come first served basis.

Getting There By Train

Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station is situated on the West Coast Main Line and provides direct access from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Derby and Crewe.

Coach Travel

Coach Travel provided by Princess Coaches can be purchased for this game, priced at £20 per person. Coaches will depart St. Mary’s Stadium at 8.30am, Eastleigh at 8.45am, Winchester at 9am and Chieveley at 9.30am.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 29/09/2017 13:29:48

| | Mauricio Pellegrino: Southampton’s goal problem lies solely in final-third playBELFASTTELE |
| | Daniel Sturridge is the toughest Liverpool opponent when fully fit, says Virgil van DijkSQUAWKA |

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Chelsea v Manchester City betting tips and odds

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It was the joy of six for the big boys last weekend and after half a dozen games the top of the table has a familiar feel - it’s beginning to look a lot like the Premier League.

Arsenal haven’t joined the party just yet but they’re just one place outside in seventh with Watford keeping their seat warm.

Manchester United, City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and the Gunners all won last time out but there’s no chance of a repeat as something has to give at Stamford Bridge in the game of the weekend.

Free-scoring City lead the standings on goal difference, head the betting for the title (they’re 19/20 to be champions) but, without Sergio Aguero, are a bigger price than Chelsea. You can get 9/5 they win Saturday’s late game while a home victory is on offer at 33/20 with the draw 27/10.

After a big win at Stoke and a much more impressive one at Atletico Madrid, Chelsea are back on their own patch where they’ve dropped their only points of the season – the opening-day defeat by Burnley and goalless draw with Arsenal.

But they did the double over City last season and Pep Guardiola is yet to get the better of them in seven attempts as a manager, drawing four and losing three.

City are flying and scoring for fun but, the Liverpool game aside, Chelsea have faced the stiffer tests this season - taking a point from Arsenal’s best display of the season, and beating Tottenham and Atletico.

The draw looks the best bet here and if the star strikers on show keep doing what they’re doing it could be an entertaining one.

Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata has six Premier League goals, the same mark Aguero who was injured in a car accident in Holland last night, and United star Romelu Lukaku. Gabriel Jesus has four in five games having missed last week’s rout of Crystal Palace and he’s set to get straight back in. Sky bet have price-boosted Morata and Jesus both to score to 5/1.

We keep waiting on Eden Hazard opening his account for the season and he’s partial to a goal against City - three in his last five. He’s 9/4 at any time while Kevin De Bruyne on the other side is a shade under 4/1.

You can get 12/1 with several bookies this one finishes 2-2.

Hotshots have been burning up the top flight over the past few weeks and Harry Kane and Alexandre Lacazette also have their shooting boots on. Liverpool do too but they’re still breaking them in as seven goals from 121 shots in their last six games is a miserable return for the Merseysiders.

But the division’s men at their title rivals are raising the bar with every shot that flies under it and into the net – Kane has 25 Premier League goals in 2017 which is the highest ever by a player in a calendar year before October.

Lukaku has now scored 10 in nine games for United in all competitions and that’s the best start by a United player with the Belgian flying out of the traps quicker than the likes of Bobby Charlton (nine in nine) and Wayne Rooney (six in nine).

In 11 games for club and country this season he’s drawn a blank just once – against Leicester. Unlike Kane, he’s yet to claim a treble but with Crystal Palace the visitors to Old Trafford he might fancy his chances. He’s no better than 10/1 for a hat-trick.

Kane has already gone home with the match ball once this week after demolishing Apoel Nicosia, following his double to down West Ham, and his odds range from 5/1 to 14/1 (shop around if you fancy it) to score three times against Huddersfield - who have conceded just one goal in three games at home. Bet Victor offer the biggest price on a home win - 17/2.

One of Betway’s specials this week is the on-fire quadruple – Lacazette (Arsenal host Brighton), Morata, Lukaku and Kane all to score is 9/1.

For the second week in a row Spurs are involved in the lunchtime kick-off and while West Ham’s Andy Carroll didn’t score for us last time out, we did get an away win with both teams on target and over 3.5 total goals in the game. Four aways at just over 8/1 also came in later in the day.

So, where to reinvest - Carroll’s Hammers can get a win at home to a shot-shy Swansea side who have had just 10 efforts on target all season.

Bournemouth at home to Leicester has the look of a stalemate as the hosts are a point worse off at this stage than they were in their previous two seasons in the division while the four points the Foxes have gathered equals their worst start to a campaign. Avoiding defeat is the plan for both.

There’s also little to choose between Stoke and Southampton while Watford appeal at an attractive price at West Brom. They were slaughtered by City a couple of weeks ago but that is their only defeat and they’ve won all three games on the road. You can get 11/4 (Unibet) they make it four on the spin and stay above Arsenal heading into the international break.

On Sunday, Arsenal should take care of Brighton. Elsewhere, Everton are 11/1 (Ladbrokes, Coral, Sky Bet) to come from behind and beat Burnley. Ronald Koeman’s side have been trailing in Premier League matches for more minutes than every team except rock-bottom Palace.

And on Tyneside, Liverpool can’t keep missing, can they? Over 3.5 total goals at Newcastle is 9/5 and both teams to score in both halves (it’s worth a nibble) is 12/1 with Sky Bet.

*Prices from oddschecker - correct at time of publication - subject to change

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Stoke v Southampton preview: Defensive headache for Mark Hughes

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Mark Hughes faces a selection dilemma in defence for Stoke’s Premier League game against Southampton on Saturday.

A groin injury for Bruno Martins Indi means the Netherlands international will miss out for the Potters, who host goal-shy Saints at the bet365 Stadium.

Kurt Zouma returns to ease the blow after he was ineligible to face parent club Chelsea last weekend but Ryan Shawcross is also absent and Hughes has doubts over the availability of Geoff Cameron and Kevin Wimmer.

Stoke slumped to a 4-0 home defeat to defending champions Chelsea but face a Southampton side this Saturday struggling to score.

Mauricio Pellegrino’s side failed to net for the fourth time in six league games as they were beaten 1-0 by Manchester United last Saturday.

“We need all our offensive players to be better in the final third,” Pellegrino said. "Goals complete your job as a striker, and I can highlight all of them.

“Being better in the final third, it’s not about more strikers, wingers or pushing the full-backs higher - it’s just about quality in the final third.”

Martins Indi (groin) is Stoke’s latest absentee, while Shawcross (back) is also missing and both Cameron and Wimmer (both hamstring) are rated doubtful.

Hughes does have Zouma back and full-backs Glen Johnson and Erik Pieters are also options to play centrally again.

Virgil van Dijk could remain on the bench for Southampton as he steps up his return to match fitness.

Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino insists the Netherlands defender must remain patient on his reintegration after failing in his bid to force a summer move to Liverpool.

Pellegrino could be able to select from strength, with Matt Targett working hard to shake off ankle trouble.

It was a disappointing result for Stoke last week but they just came up against a very, very good Chelsea side. I watched Chelsea in the Champions League in midweek against Atletico Madrid and they will not be far off winning that competition in my opinion.

I think Stoke, who will have Zouma back, will win this game 1-0. I know they got battered last week but Southampton aren’t in the same league as Chelsea, and I never like going against Stoke at home.

Southampton are Sky Bet’s 6/4 favourites for the victory with Stoke priced at 9/5, while the draw is a 9/4 chance. Manolo Gabbiadini heads the first goalscorer betting at 9/2 with Eric Choupo-Moting considered the hosts’ main threat at 11/2 to break the deadlock.

Stoke v Southampton is included in this weekend’s Super 6 line-up, with £250,000 up for grabs again.

Enter your predictions for free here.

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:thinking:

Test your knowledge ahead of #SaintsFC’s clash against #SCFC, with our pre-match quiz: http://sfcne.ws/QuizSCFCa

Retweets: 1

Favourites: 3

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 29/09/2017 14:29:55

| | The Saints Walking Wounded Injury News 29/09/2017VITALFOOTBALL |
| | Pellegrino weighs up Saints shake-upCLUBCALL |

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Pellegrino: Stoke will be tough

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Stoke suffered a 4-0 home defeat to Chelsea last time out, but with impressive results against Arsenal and Manchester United already in the Premier League, Pellegrino is wary of their threat.

“We have been working to play a tough team, to try and penetrate them and to control the game,” said Pellegrino.

“It will be really difficult. They have already played against Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea and they all found it tough.

“Thinking about us, we have to continue in the same way like in the second-half especially (against Manchester United) and keeping learning.

“It’s another opportunity to show how we are. We want to be there to try to win the game.”

Pellegrino added: “Stoke is a team that are getting better every single year because they are a strong, physical team with players who have quality.

“They have clear ideas and for us, we need to 100% focused to try and push the game our way.”

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Ready to follow #SaintsFC tomorrow? Our match preview for the trip to #SCFC has got you covered: http://sfcne.ws/mpsc1718

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Stoke vs Southampton: Team news, kick-off time, odds

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Ahead of this weekend’s action, Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about every fixture, with team news, provisional squads, betting odds and Opta stats.

Here is all the information you need for Stoke’s home clash with Southampton.

Mark Hughes will be hampered by defensive injuries again when he selects a Stoke side to face Southampton at the bet365 Stadium.

Bruno Martins Indi (groin) is the latest absentee, while Ryan Shawcross (back) is also missing and both Geoff Cameron and Kevin Wimmer (both hamstring) are rated doubtful.

Hughes does have Kurt Zouma back after the Frenchman was ineligible to face his parent club last weekend and full-backs Glen Johnson and Erik Pieters are also options to play centrally again.

Virgil van Dijk could remain on the bench for Southampton’s Premier League trip to Stoke.

Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino insists the Holland defender must remain patient on his reintegration after failing in his bid to force a summer move to Liverpool.

Pellegrino could be able to select from strength for Saturday’s Stoke visit, with Matt Targett working hard to shake off ankle trouble.

  • Stoke City have only won three of their last 15 home matches against Southampton in all competitions (D5 L7).

Saints failed to score against Stoke in the Premier League last season, despite having 10 shots on target against them over the two games. Only one team had more shots on target without scoring against an opponent last season (Hull against Sunderland - 13).

10 of Southampton’s 11 Premier League goals against Stoke have been scored in the first half – and none have come later than the 57th minute. All seven goals by Southampton scored at the bet365 Stadium have been scored in the first half.

Southampton have failed to score in 10 of their last 14 Premier League matches and have scored just eight goals from 180 shots in these games (4.4%).

Southampton are on a four-game unbeaten away run in the Premier League (W2 D2 L0) – their longest run on the road since November 2015 (six games).

Stoke have lost nine of their last 16 Premier League games, three times as many games as they have won in this period (W3 D4 L9).

Southampton have kept a clean sheet in their opening two league games away from home in 2017-18. They’ve never kept clean sheets in their opening three away games of any of their previous 90 seasons in the Football League.

35.3% of Stoke City’s passes have ended in the final third of the pitch this season in the Premier League; a higher proportion that any other side.

Manolo Gabbiadini scored four goals in his first three Premier League appearances, averaging a goal every 62 minutes & converting 25% of shots. In his 14 Premier League appearances since then, he’s scored just once from 21 shots (4.8%) and averaged a goal every 790 minutes.

Since Mark Hughes took charge of Stoke at the start of the 2013/14 season, no Premier League side has lost more home games by 4+ goals than the Potters (3, level with Swansea and West Ham), with Stoke losing 4-0 to Chelsea at the bet365 Stadium last time out.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 29/09/2017 15:30:10

| | Pellegrino backing Saints new ownersCLUBCALL |
| | STOKECITYFC |
|

| Switching formation may not help Southampton, says PellegrinoREUTERS |
| | STOKECITYFC |

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@OriolRomeu - Oriol Romeu

Back at it! :soccer: #SaintsFC

Retweets: 12

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

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Join us LIVE from Staplewood tonight, as #SaintsFCU23s take on #WatfordFC in #PLCup action. Kick-off is at 7pm B… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/913796797042233346

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Read Southampton

New content from (- Read Southampton)

| Stoke vs Southampton: Predicted Opposition XI | Southampton travel to Stoke at the weekend as they look to bounce back from the defeat at home to Manchester United. … 29-09-2017 |

Older content…

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| Pellegrino gives fitness update on Virgil van Dijk2 days ago |
| Southampton Predicted XI: Stoke (A)2 days ago |
| Pellegrino hints at playing new Saints formation for Stoke2 days ago |
| Is the pathway still there for Saints youngsters?2 days ago |
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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

“We want to send a good message to those watching.”

@RadhijaidiOff on #SaintsFCU23’s #PLCup clash with #WatfordFC:
http://sfcne.ws/U23sRahdi

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Team news is in!

Here’s how #SaintsFCU23s line-up against #WatfordFC in their #PLCup opener at Staplewood:

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The Ugly Inside News for Southampton

New content from (- The Ugly Inside News for Southampton)

| Saints At Stoke City The Preview | Saints travel to injury hit Stoke City looking to keep their unbeaten run going away from home this season. 29-09-2017 |

Older content…

| Saints Could Be Heading To China17 hours ago |
| Pellegrino Praises Long ! But Call For Better Quality In The Final Third !17 hours ago |
| Pellegrino Hints At A Change In Formation !17 hours ago |
| Brighton Tickets Sell Out2 days ago |
| Stoke Have Back Four Injury Crisis Ahead Of Clash With Saints2 days ago |
| The Ugly Inside tv ! Saints V Stoke City Preview !2 days ago |
| The Ugly Inside TV ! Opposition View With The Bear Pit2 days ago |
| Van Dijk’s Comments On Liverpool Are Ill Advised !2 days ago |
| Ward Prowse In Line For England Call Up !2 days ago |
| Extra Coach Seats Now Available For Stoke Trip With Southampton Away Travel !3 days ago |

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