Two of the Premier League's top seven do battle at St Mary's in matchday 25's Saturday evening match as West Ham United travel to face Southampton.
Both sides qualified for the Europa League last season and could do so again with a strong finish to this campaign.
Southampton
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Six defeats in eight games at the end of 2015 had Southampton down in 13th and closer to the relegation places than West Ham in sixth, but since then they have returned to form and shot up the table.
They are now just a place behind the Hammers and will close to within two points of the East London side if they put them away tomorrow.
Since losing in the third round of the FA Cup to Crystal Palace last month, Ronald Koeman's side have collected 10 points from a possible 12 and not conceded a goal to take their season clean-sheet tally to 10. Their form last month saw Ronald Koeman named January's Manager of the Month for the second year running.
The Saints' three-game winning streak came to an end on Tuesday night, but it was an impressive result nonetheless as Arsenal were held to a goalless draw at the Emirates and Southampton had Fraser Forster to thank for an inspired display in goal.
The England stopper returned after 10 months out injured last month and the Saints' four straight clean sheets have coincided with him being back in goal. Forster has saved all 12 shots that he has faced in his four Premier League appearances since his comeback and now has a record of 17 clean sheets in 34 Premier League games for Southampton, averaging one every other game for the club.
If they make it five straight shutouts it will be the first time since March 2001, when they had seven in a row, that they have gone on such a run in the top flight.
Koeman's side have also kept three consecutive clean sheets on home soil in the Premier League; they last kept four in a row there in October 2013.
Recent Premier League form: LLWWWD
Recent form (all competitions): LLWWWD
West Ham
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It could be a magical season for the Hammers in their final year at the Boleyn Ground, with Slaven Bilic's side five clear of the side they face here, just a point behind Manchester United above them and six behind fellow Londoners Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the top four.
It is just one defeat in 11 league games following a hard-fought 2-0 win over bottom side Aston Villa, who had Jordan Ayew sent off for a stupid elbow to the face of Aaron Cresswell, in midweek.
It took Michail Antonio a while to work his way into the team under Bilic, but he now has three goals in his last six league games after powerfully heading home the opener on Tuesday night.
That win made it 10 home league games unbeaten since the opening month of the season, but away from home the Hammers' form has dipped of late.
After winning four of their first five Premier League away games this season, including wins at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, West Ham have won just one of the last seven on the road (W1 D3 L3).
Still, there is plenty to be optimistic about and it seems that the Boleyn Ground will be getting a fine send-off this season before the club's move to the Olympic Stadium, where Barcelona could reportedly be the Hammers' first opponents in a pre-season friendly.
Recent Premier League form: WWWLDW
Recent form (all competitions): WWLDDW
Team News
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Charlie Austin, after coming off the bench to score the winner at Man Utd on his debut, was absent for the Saints at Arsenal, but Koeman said that it was just a minor knock and that he should be fit to face the Hammers.
Steven Davis is a doubt with a knock, but Koeman must still decide whether to stick with the same midfield that started against Arsenal or recall the likes of Jordy Clasie and Matt Targett.
As for West Ham, Bilic could name an unchanged side, although Andy Carroll, who scored the winner when these two last met at the end of December, is fit again and pushing for a start in attack.
New striker Emmanuel Emenike took part in his first training session earlier this week following his loan move from Fenerbahce, but he is unlikely to be ready this weekend as he sharpens his match fitness.
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Forster; Cedric, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Ward-Prowse, Wanyama, Clasie; Tadic, Austin, Mane
West Ham possible starting lineup:
Adrian; Tomkins, Reid, Collins, Cresswell; Song, Kouyate, Noble; Antonio, Payet; Valencia
Head To Head
It is just over a month since these two last met, with West Ham staging a second-half fightback to win 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground. In fact, Southampton have won just one of the last eight Premier League games against the Hammers.
If West Ham get the win tomorrow it will be the first time in 15 years that they have done a league double over the Saints.
However, the last four Premier League meetings between Southampton and West Ham at St Mary's have ended as draws.
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We say: Southampton 1-0 West Ham
Although West Ham won in midweek, they were hardly at their best against a 10-man Villa side and going to in-form Southampton should be a tough ask, especially given the way Forster and the Saints' backline are playing at the moment.
Pascal Lemesre
