Southampton vs Stoke City Championship Clash: Where to Watch and Who's Commentating on August 23, 2025

On Saturday, August 23, 2025, English football fans can catch an exciting EFL Championship fixture as Southampton host Stoke City at St. Mary's Stadium, kicking off at 15:00 UK time. This match forms part of the third round of the 2025-26 Championship campaign, with the action available live across several BBC platforms and popular football shows such as Soccer Saturday.

For TV viewers, the game will be featured on BBC Final Score, providing in-depth post-match analysis with reporting by Charlotte Richardson. This iconic BBC football results programme offers highlights and expert opinion, making it ideal for fans looking to follow the game remotely.

Radio listeners have multiple options: BBC Radio 5 Live will broadcast live commentary with coverage led by reporter Sohail Sahi, a respected BBC sports journalist known for his insightful play-by-plays and interviews. Fans in the Southampton and Stoke areas can tune in via local BBC stations offering tailored perspectives. BBC Radio Solent features presenter Ian Wilding, with commentary from Adam Blackmore and co-commentator Jo Tessem, who brings valuable analysis from his professional playing career, including stints at Southampton. For Stoke listeners, BBC Radio Stoke (FM) provides commentary from the experienced duo of Mark Elliott and co-commentator Andy Quy, both well-versed in the nuances of Stoke City football.

Additionally, football enthusiasts can catch updates and reports on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday, where former Crystal Palace and Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison will provide pitchside reports. Morrison is widely recognised for his engaging and knowledgeable punditry across British football media.

Background on Commentators and Presenters

Charlotte Richardson has established herself at the BBC as a dynamic football reporter, often covering football league games with attentive interviews and on-site analysis. Her work on Final Score brings clarity and depth to live football results coverage.

Sohail Sahi is known for his comprehensive commentary style on BBC Radio 5 Live, often combining tactical insight with a smooth narrative delivery – a popular figure on British radio football broadcasts.

Adam Blackmore, heading commentary on BBC Radio Solent, comes with years of experience covering Southern England football, lending a localised and passionate voice to Southampton games. His commentary is ably supported by Jo Tessem, a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder and forward, including for Southampton. Tessem's playing background provides expert tactical insight into game flow and player performances.

Mark Elliott and Andy Quy represent the Stoke community on BBC Radio Stoke. Elliott has been a trusted voice in Stoke football commentary for over a decade, while Quy, a former goalkeeper and coach, adds technical depth and strategic analysis to the broadcast.

Match Context

Southampton, relegated from the Premier League last season, are eager to bounce back immediately to the top flight. They began the season strongly, winning their opening match against Wrexham and drawing against Ipswich Town recently. Stoke City, meanwhile, are enjoying one of their best starts to recent Championship campaigns, holding first place with emphatic wins over Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday.

The duel promises to be competitive; historically, the teams have faced off 82 times, with Southampton winning 36 and Stoke 31 matches, alongside 15 draws. Their last encounter in the Carabao Cup ended 3-2 in favour of Southampton. Stoke has demonstrated a potent attacking threat this season, currently having the best offensive record in the division early on.

Where to Find More Information

For detailed pre-match analysis, predictions, and live updates, fans can visit Sportskeeda's Southampton vs Stoke City preview. Real-time stats and lineups will be accessible on Sofascore, offering live coverage and player ratings throughout the fixture. For head-to-head history and live score tracking, Flashscore remains a popular choice among British football supporters.