SAINTS’ impressive defensive record will come under an aerial threat tomorrow.

After conceding only five goals in their opening eight Premier League games, Ronald Koeman’s men boast the best defensive record in English football.

But ex-Saints striker Peter Crouch will lead Stoke City’s attack tomorrow aiming to complete an unusual hat-trick.

Crouch has scored for the Potters on his two previous appearances at St Mary’s.

He netted in a 1-1 draw on the final day of the 2012/13 campaign, and was also on target in last March’s 2-2 stalemate.

Unsurprisingly, due to his height, Crouch has won more aerial duals than any other Premier League player this season – an average of 6.8.

In-form Saints ace Graziano Pelle is 10th overall, winning an average of 4.3 duals.

But Pelle will be up against Ryan Shawcross and Marc Wilson tomorrow, who are 11th and 18th respectively in the top flight ‘duals won’ list with 3.9 and 3.4 respectively.

Stoke left back Erik Pieters is 19th, with 3.3.Steven N'Zonzi is 27th in the list with 2.9 duals won, while Toby Alderweireld is the only other Saint averaging two or more duals won per game.

It might also come as little surprise, therefore, that Stoke are easily the best in the Premier League in terms of winning aerial duals – an average 26.9 every game.

Saints are down in 11th place, winning 14.8 aerial duals by comparison.

Stoke have also scored 37.5 per cent of their league goals this season from headers – only West Ham (40 per cent) and Hull (38.5 per cent) have used their head to better effect.

But don’t get the impression that Mark Hughes’ Potters are a long ball team.

In fact, Koeman’s men have hit more long passes this season.

Statistics show that Saints are averaging 70 long balls per game in 2014/15 – the fourth highest in the division – compared to Stoke’s 64 (10th).

And Saints are more keen to go long at St Mary’s, averaging 72 long balls at home and 67 away.

Saints have one statistic on their side, though, as they prepare to face Stoke twice in five days.

Koeman’s side are one of only five Premier League clubs who have yet to concede a header all season – Hull, Manchester City, West Brom and last week’s St Mary’s laughing stock Sunderland being the others.