Southampton's ones to watch out on Championship loans include Will Smallbone and James Bree, two players whose first minutes in this year's second-tier can come while playing in opposite sides of the pitch.
Football in Scotland observed their biggest rivalry recently, where Russell Martin managed to earn one draw that won't make him or Southampton look silly. After all, an ex-Saints figure going unbeaten in any prestigious derby is some respect points earned.
Up pops the question, when is the Southampton-themed rivalry week coming? Now, there couldn't be more easier replies to an answer than this one, because September is the perfect junction from what the fixtures list says.
The Saints have some Championship places to exchange with the Pompeys, left prodigy Tyler Dibling has a local Liverpool derby lined up. And the 19-year-old wide midfielder will lock horns with Mateus Fernandes and a bunch of more ex-Saints members at West Ham.
Now, each of them is alone worth planning matchday trips for Southampton fans and a pre-rivalries teaser has also arrived to set the stage for the blockbuster match-cards.
Smallbone and Bree's debuts will have a reunion element
Dropping the curtains, it's the Charlton Athletic and Millwall game where Nathan Jones and James Bree will obviously be present. And rivaling them from the touring Millwall department will be Will Smallbone, who fetched a temporary stint there as mentioned by the official Southampton website.
If all goes well, Smallbone and Bree can both earn their club debuts, if not first starts against each other. And there's one more special thing, the duo will also open their 2025/26 Championship minutes account after combining for no league playing action for Southampton.
It's good to be neutral in opting for who will come out with the win, and also rooting for a draw will help Southampton's own interests in cutting down the deficit on the top-six places.