The Champions League pace has proven just too hot to handle for Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, who meet this weekend at St Mary's Stadium.
Mauricio Pochettino's current and former clubs are both at least seven points adrift of the Premier League's top four and now likely vying for a Europa League place.
Southampton
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There were few who envied the task on Ronald Koeman's hands when he took over from Pochettino in the summer, with the Argentine having led the Saints to a Premier League best points total of 56 in his final season in charge.
Particularly after the pre-season exodus of five of the club's best players, Southampton were tipped to be involved in the relegation mix, but they have not dropped out of the top seven since August in a testament to the remarkable job that Koeman has done.
Although they have already matched last season's points tally, the Dutchman was forced to admit following their 2-1 defeat to Stoke City last weekend that their Champions League dreams were over. Mame Biram Diouf and Charlie Adam goals cancelled out Morgan Schneiderlin's opener at the Britannia Stadium.
The result left the Saints eight points adrift of the top four with five games remaining - a gap that has widened during a run of only three wins in nine games that has included four matches without victory on the road.
Missing out on Europe's top table will again put pressure on the club in the summer transfer window, with Schneiderlin among a handful of players who are apparently looking to test themselves at the highest level.
Nevertheless, this season has proved that Southampton are safe in Koeman's hands. While they have struggled away from home recently, they have won their last three matches on their own patch without conceding and will be optimistic of knocking off Spurs.
Recent form: WDWLWL
Spurs
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Tottenham are currently one point and one place above Southampton in the table, but realistically no more likely to gatecrash the top-four party, with Manchester City boasting a seven-point cushion and Liverpool also ahead of them in the running.
Not qualifying for the Champions League has been enough to get several managers sacked by the demanding White Hart Lane hierarchy, but Pochettino's position seems secure as Spurs look for stability ahead of the opening of their new stadium.
A 3-1 win over Newcastle United last weekend ended a disappointing run in which they had drawn with Burnley and lost at home to Aston Villa to pass up their chances of capitalising on City's faltering form.
Harry Kane completed the scoring at St James' Park to become the first Spurs player to score 30 goals in a season since Gary Lineker in 1991-92 and stay level with Sergio Aguero at the top of the division's scoring charts.
Christian Eriksen and Nacer Chadli were also on the scoresheet either side of Jack Colback's reply. Tottenham's three scorers have each netted more times than Southampton's leading marksman - Graziano Pelle - this campaign.
While the Europa League is sometimes regarded as a poisoned chalice, continental football remains a necessity for Spurs - who need a platform to keep their big squad happy and develop their younger players - placing extra importance on Pochettino's first return to St Mary's.
Recent form: WLWDLW
Team News
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Spurs have doubts over the fitness of full-backs Danny Rose and Kyle Walker, with Eric Dier and Ben Davies on standby to fill in on either side of the defence.
Paulinho's inclusion from the start against Newcastle served as a rest for Ryan Mason, but the England international should be back in Tottenham's midfield. Fellow academy graduate Andros Townsend may again play second fiddle to Erik Lamela.
The visitors expect Hugo Lloris to return at the expense of Michel Vorm in goal after three games out with a knee injury, but Southampton are still missing their first-choice stopper Fraser Forster and therefore Kelvin Davis will continue in between the sticks.
Toby Alderweireld is unlikely to feature after dislocating his shoulder against Stoke to join Jay Rodriguez, Filip Djuricic and the suspended Victor Wanyama on the sidelines. Maya Yoshida and James Ward-Prowse are in line for recalls.
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Davis; Clyne, Yoshida, Fonte, Bertrand; Davis, Schneiderlin, Ward-Prowse; Tadic, Mane, Pelle
Spurs possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Dier, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies; Mason, Bentaleb; Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela; Kane
Head To Head
Spurs stretched their winning streak against Southampton to five matches with October's 1-0 win in London.
The Saints have not beaten Tottenham since returning to the top flight in 2012, but won their six previous home encounters by an aggregate of 11-0.
We say: Southampton 1-1 Spurs
Neither side have been at their best in recent weeks and might not have the confidence to commit to winning what should be a tight game. Southampton are not big scorers, but Spurs struggle to keep clean sheets and that could result in a low-scoring draw.
Joe Fish
