Dan gives us his last preview of the season asking whether it will be top eight for four consecutive seasons in a row.

On Sunday, Saints take on Stoke on the last day of what has been a rather predictable Premier League season at St.Mary’s with the possibility of finishing in the top eight for four consecutive seasons: a club-record. In their way however, is an unwanted goal-drought in front of home fans and a Stoke side that don’t travel well.

After a much-improved performance which was unlucky not to get three points against Manchester United last time out, Saints should be able to finish their season with a flourish against a Stoke City team that have been seriously underwhelming this season. After finishing ninth in their last three seasons in the Premier League, the Potters look set to finish around 14th place after what has been a rather disappointing season for them.

A win against Middlesbrough last weekend looks to have steadied the ship a little bit and the team look set to finish 8th or 9th after some fortunes with West Bromwich Albion’s loss at Manchester City in midweek. A win against Stoke on Sunday will all but seal eighth place (a point will also depend on other results).

However, after what looked to be a strong end to the season with away wins against Watford and West Brom, the final handful of games of the season have been disappointing with four goalless draws since the beginning of April, three of them at home. Not only that but Saints haven’t scored a goal at St.Mary’s in four matches; a weak excuse is the fact that there was a two month gap between home fixtures in Spring.

As for Stoke, they are winless in four and have scored just three times in their last four; funnily enough this is a better record than Southampton. Xerdan Shaquiri and Marco Arnautovic are likely to be the dangermen for the Potters who, like Southampton, had safety guaranteed a while ago and have put in underwhelming performances since their fate was guaranteed.

Prediction: This isn’t set out to be an exciting game with two sides in poor form of late, however Saints will want to guarantee a top half finish at the very least and make sure that they finish above south-coast rivals Bournemouth. Even though we don’t win a prize for finishing eighth, I feel like it is important that the team finish the season with a bang and prove to the fans that they should be renewing their season tickets next year (one game is unlikely to do this however). I’m going to call a 3-1 win for the Saints as Stoke have been poor away from home and we proved against United that we can put out a performance at home, we just need a bit more luck!

Photo: Action Images

saintpp added 09:27 - May 20 The fans should give the team and manager a standing ovation to show their thanks for the history making top 10 finish and their brave EFL final. Those who want to boo the manager and jeer every bad pass should either stay away with their anti Puel agenda or at least be quiet if they cant show their support and appreciation on our final game so rest of the fans can celebrate. Lets show the players we support them thro thick and thin!

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SaintBrock added 11:17 - May 20 It will not be easy to score against Stoke irrespective of our recent poor form in front of goal. Most of the problems on Wednesday were not our inability to create chances but the sheer solidity of Man U's defence which has been impressively mean all season, second least number of goals against in the PL 29 to Spurs 25. Stoke are not so watertight but still boast the second best defensive record of the bottom half. This looks again like it will be a very low scoring affair with probably a single goal either way settling it. If Stoke get the early goal we are guaranteed a frustrating afternoon with 10 of them behind the ball and time wasting tactics galore. Not pretty and a miserable end to a miserable season. 0-1 to Stoke which at least might help clear some of the fog around St Mary's.

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halftimeorange added 14:30 - May 20 Once again our team of shorties will be facing a team of relative giants. One of our biggest failings this season is continually crossing high balls which we can never reach. Neither Manolo or Jay can jump and there is nobody of the Lambert or Pelle ilk. Without VVD our corners are always likely to be ineffective unless Stephens is in the right place. Not having a target man is as much to blame for our lack of goals as not having a decent playmaker in the side in my opinion.

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SaintBrock added 19:11 - May 21 Sorry Lads!
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