Southampton will be looking to further extend their prolonged undefeated streak when they play host to Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon.
At a time when the Saints are sitting in fourth position in the Championship standings, Cardiff have recently dropped down to ninth spot.
Match preview
© Reuters
There was a time earlier in the season when it felt that Southampton were already faced with the prospect of a playoff spot being their most realistic target.
However, a 10-game undefeated streak at a time when Leicester City and Ipswich Town have started dropping points has left the Saints within eight points of second.
Being held to a 1-1 draw at Huddersfield Town on Saturday would have frustrated Russell Martin, but his side responded with a hard-earned 1-0 triumph over Bristol City earlier this week.
Southampton's goalscoring exploits have started to drop off - just five strikes have come in four games - yet the considerable improvement in defence means that it has not cost them.
Four wins and one draw have come from their most recent five matches at St Mary's, but their only shutout during that period was the one against the Robins on Wednesday.
With 27 points from 18 matches, everyone associated with Cardiff can be more than satisfied with their season under Erol Bulut at this stage.
Nevertheless, two defeats in three outings have halted their momentum, with Bulut feeling that his team have been on the end of referring mistakes and subsequently calling for VAR in the second tier.
The two defeats in question - to Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion - have come in South Wales, Cardiff still managing to rack up results on their travels.
Seven points have been collected from fixtures at Huddersfield Town, Stoke City and Preston North End, and the fact that they have conceded just once during that triple-header is enough for Southampton to take note.
Team News
© Reuters
Kamaldeen Sulemana is expected to miss out for Southampton after he was withdrawn during the first half against Bristol City.
Che Adams was the replacement on that occasion and he could be recalled to the starting lineup, but Sam Edozie and Ryan Fraser are also options if Martin opts for players in wide areas as opposed to the previous game.
Will Smallbone is also in contention for a recall, potentially ahead of Shea Charles.
Meanwhile, Karlan Grant is in line to return for Cardiff after being unable to face his parent club West Brom last time out.
Kion Etete may also be recalled to the starting lineup, with Ollie Tanner and Yakou Meite potentially dropping down to the substitutes' bench.
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Manning; Smallbone, Downes, S. Armstrong; Edozie, A. Armstrong, Fraser
Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Runarsson; Romeo, Goutas, McGuinness, Ng; Siopis, Ralls; Bowler, Robinson, Grant; Etete
We say: Southampton 2-1 Cardiff City
Bulut will have his side motivated to hit back from their controversial defeat to West Brom earlier this week and we expect them to push Southampton all the way. Nevertheless, the Saints look like a team who can still be a factor in the automatic promotion race and we are backing another home victory here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
