Southampton square off with Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium in the Premier League on Thursday.
This clash is almost certain to be labelled an old-fashioned ‘dead rubber’, with Southampton travelling the 60 miles east along the South Coast with nothing to play for.
Saints’ recent form has been excellent, with a Michael Obafemi leveller at the death enough to snatch a point from Manchester United at Old Trafford last time out.
Ralph Hasenhuttl will be pleased with his sides endeavours in the second half of the season, having exorcised the lingering spectre of relegation which was hanging over the club following a 9-0 home hammering by Leicester.
That spectre hasn’t been fully vanquished for opponents Brighton though, who despite being 5 points clear of the drop will not be breathing a sigh of relief just yet.
Seagulls boss Graham Potter will see this as an opportunity to cement safety, with his side having already faced 4 of the traditional ‘big 6’ since the season resumed.
Potter won’t have Jose Izquierdo or Steven Alzate available to him against Southampton, with both still nursing injury.
Saints have more injury concerns to contend with though, with Sofiane Boufal, Yan Valery and Moussa Djenepo all unavailable to Ralph Hasenhuttl with knocks.
Brighton and Hove Albion v Southampton is an 8.15pm kick off on Thursday, July 16.
