Southampton will be looking to further extend their unbeaten streak in the Championship when they play host to Bristol City on Wednesday night.
While the Saints sit in fourth position in the standings, Bristol City have recently moved into 11th place after the arrival of Liam Manning as their new boss.
Match preview
© Reuters
Having come through a turbulent period in September, Russell Martin can now feel comfortable in his role at Southampton, with his side now nine games unbeaten in the second tier.
Conceding a late equaliser at Huddersfield Town on Saturday would have come as huge frustration, with the Saints missing the chance to progress into third spot ahead of Leeds United.
Nevertheless, Southampton remain as the form team in the division, having not lost since September 23, and they have scored in 10 matches in succession.
More importantly, the South Coast outfit have conceded no more than twice in a game during that period having at one stage shipped goals at will.
On paper, Southampton have a favourable schedule in front of them, none of the current top six on their calendar until the middle of February, but they have to take full advantage to close the gap on the teams above them.
As far as Bristol City are concerned, they make the trip to Southampton having enjoyed a terrific start to life under former Oxford United boss Manning.
Although a goalless draw at Queens Park Rangers would have been viewed in a negative light, the 3-2 triumph over Middlesbrough was a statement result for the new manager.
The Robins had to overcome the disappointment of being pegged back after half time before Mark Sykes scored the decisive goal in the 67th minute.
Now back to within three points of the playoffs and having put together their first three-game undefeated streak since September, everyone associated with Bristol City will feel like they have a team moving swiftly in the right direction.
Team News
© Reuters
With Martin possessing the strength-in-depth to rotate his Southampton side, the likes of Shea Charles and Samuel Edozie could be introduced to provide fresh legs.
Che Adams and Ross Stewart are both options to replace Adam Armstrong, but the pair may have to make do with a spot among the replacements.
Ryan Manning could also be preferred to James Bree at left-back in what would be his first club start since October 21.
Manning will be forced to make at least one alteration to his Bristol City XI with Cameron Pring serving a ban for five yellow cards.
While Manning could go a number of different ways with his replacement, using Kal Naismith as a straight alternative may make most sense.
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Manning; Charles, Downes, S. Armstrong; Edozie, A. Armstrong, Sulemana
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O'Leary; Tanner, Vyner, Dickie, Naismith; James, Gardner-Hickman; Sykes, Knight, Bell; Conway
We say: Southampton 2-1 Bristol City
This has all the makings of an intriguing fixture, Bristol City clearly growing in belief under their recently-appointed head coach. However, we cannot back against Southampton at this point, the Saints having been ticking along nicely with Saturday's draw at Huddersfield likely to be a minor blip.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
