Strong-starting Saints to face biggest away test yet at Eastlands

Southampton’s loss against Stoke City on Saturday was a rare case of Saints being punished for not scoring the first goal.

In their seven home games prior to the match against Mark Hughes’ side, Southampton have scored the first goal of the game in six of the seven.

Of those five, Saints have gone on to win three, drawing once - a 2-2 draw with Leicester City - and losing once, in a 3-2 loss to Manchester United.

When Ronald Koeman’s previously conceded first at St. Mary’s, they went on to be humbled in a 3-0 loss against a resurgent Everton side.

Saturday marked only the second time that Saints had failed to find the back of the net in front of the home crowd.

However, scoring the first goal away from home is something that Southampton have struggled with.

In six away games to-date, Saints have scored first on three occasions, proceeding to win twice and draw just once.

Despite being unbeaten away from home all-season, Saints have drawn four times, drawing a blank on two occasions.

Undoubtedly the biggest test Saints will encounter on the road this season comes on Saturday, when they head to The Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City.

After a heavy 4-1 loss against Liverpool at the weekend, Manuel Pellegrini’s side will be looking to bounce back against Saints, buoyed by the return of the newly-fit Sergio Agüero.

Southampton are without a win at Manchester City in 11 years, having lost all of their previous four visits to Eastlands.

In fact, in those last four encounters with the Citizens, a total of 14 goals have been conceded, with Saints only finding the net five times.

With a Manchester City side seeking redemption, scoring the first goal will prove to be crucial if Southampton have any ambition of keeping that fine away run going.