SAINTS have the biggest opportunity yet to end their miserable run in front of their own fans against relegation rivals Stoke City on Saturday.

The Potters are the worst away side in the Premier League, have not won in nine straight attempts in the top-flight on the road and have conceded an astonishing 33 goals in their 14 away trips this season.

Paul Lambert’s strugglers have tallied just two points in their last six trips away from the Bet365 Stadium and, in that run, let in a colossal 13 goals and scored just three themselves.

All of that leaves Stoke rock bottom of the away stats with just seven points all term.

Paul Lambert’s strugglers have tallied just two points in their last six trips away from the Bet365 Stadium and, in that run, let in a colossal 13 goals and scored just three themselves.

All of that leaves Stoke rock bottom of the away standings with just seven points all term.

From a Saints perspective there is no better team to welcome to St Mary’s, the scene of many a disappointment this season, and try and finally inject some life back into their home form, which has long since gone missing.

Stoke are currently just a point behind Saints in the Premier League and, to put it mildly, this game is massive for both clubs’ ambitions of living to fight another day in the elite.

Fail to get a victory against the Potters at St Mary’s and Saints’ precarious position will significantly worsen and the already disillusioned home faithful will likely turn completely.

It should be remarked, that Stoke will likely view a trip to Saints favourably too.

One quick glance at the Premier League’s home form table gives the Potters every reason to be positive.

Not only has the atmosphere been toxic for most of the campaign at St Mary’s, but Saints themselves sit rock bottom of the home form table, having failed to win a single game in their last six in front of their own fans.

“We have to put everything on the pitch, try to finish empty with our energy and give 100 per cent,” said Mauricio Pellegrino in a rallying cry on Saints’ official website ahead of this one.