Southampton are in line for European qualification this season.
Southampton are top of the Fair Play League after collecting just 15 bookings in their opening 19 games - which could land them a Europa League place.
Boss Nigel Adkins said: "The only way we can beat Stoke is by playing good football.
"If you give away stupid free-kicks, you are playing to their strengths and will get punished.
"We are proud of our disciplinary record, although I have not even thought about it taking us into Europe."