Stoke City play host to Southampton at the Britannia Stadium on Wednesday night in the latest round of Premier League fixtures.

The Potters are in 11th position and one place and one point behind their midweek opponents in the table, knowing that if they can take all three points they will move into the top half of the standings.

Mark Hughes’ side’s miserable run away at Arsenal continued – this was their 15th successive loss on the road against the Gunners – as they were beaten 3-1 at the Emirates on Saturday, despite taking the lead through a Charlie Adam penalty.

Meanwhile, the Saints ended a disappointing week with a narrow 1-0 home win against Middlesbrough, with club-record signing Sofiane Boufal’s stunning strike separating the two teams and moving the south coast outfit up to 10th.

Here are three key battles on the pitch that could decide where the Premier League clash is won and lost…

Glen Johnson vs Sofiane Boufal

Football Soccer Britain - Southampton v Sunderland - EFL Cup Fourth Round - St Mary's Stadium - 26/10/16
Southampton's Sofiane Boufal celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates
Action Images via Reuters / Andrew Couldridge
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Johnson has been one of Stoke’s most impressive performers since he joined the Potters 18 months ago, and he will need to use his experience against Premier League new boy Boufal if he recovers from an eye infection in time.

Saints’ £16m signing has spent the majority of the season on the sidelines because of injury but now he's fully fit, the tricky forward is showing glimpses of how influential he could be for Claude Puel’s side – his stunning 25-yard strike proved to be the difference as the south coast outfit beat Middlesbrough 1-0 on Sunday.

Joe Allen vs Oriol Romeu

Joe Allen scores v Man United

The Wales international has been one of the surprises of the Premier League season in the number 10 role for the Potters, and he is their top goalscorer this term with four goals in the top flight.

Whether it be his creativity or the goal threat he provides, Romeu – who, like Allen, has been one of his side’s best players this season – will need to keep a close check on the diminutive Welshman and provide that shield in front of his back four.

Jonathan Walters vs Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk celebrates scoring against Inter Milan

Walters missed the defeat at the Emirates because of a groin strain but he is expected to be fit for the visit of Southampton on Wednesday night.

After scoring in his side’s previous home match against Burnley, the Republic of Ireland attacker should come back into the starting XI up top. But he will be in for a tough evening against Van Dijk, who has shown time and time again this season why he is considered to be one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League.