Fresh from boss Tonda Eckert being given the all-clear to continue as Southampton boss after the Spygate affair, Saints are hoping to maintain their 100% home record in the Championship with a fifth successive victory.
South coast rivals Portsmouth make the short journey along the M27 on Sunday (12:00 BST) on a three-game unbeaten run.
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The last four league encounters between Southampton and Portsmouth have all been drawn, with Pompey the last team to win in this fixture in a 4-1 victory at Fratton Park in April 2005.
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Portsmouth have won one of their past nine league visits to Southampton (D4 L4), winning 2-0 in the top-flight in January 1988 under Alan Ball.
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Southampton have scored 15 goals in just four home league games this season – it is the most by a Championship side in their first four home games since Reading scored 16 in 2008-09.
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This is only Portsmouth’s third league game on a Sunday in the past two seasons, with the previous two both against Southampton (D2). Pompey have won just four of their past 32 league games on Sundays (D11 L17).
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Southampton’s Cyle Larin has scored 11 goals in 14 Championship appearances at St Mary’s, scoring a goal every 81 minutes. Since 2004-05, the only player to play 750+ minutes at one stadium and have a better minutes per goal ratio is Dwight Gayle at St James’ Park (one every 72 mins).
[BBC]