Preston North End (PNE) arrive at St Mary's on Saturday in fine fettle. On the back of a high scoring win over Sheffield United last weekend, the Lilywhites make the long journey south knowing that victory will almost certainly lift them into the top six.
Preston manager, Paul Heckingbottom has called upon his team to 'avoid all the nonsense' surrounding the positive start that they have had to the season and just to stay focused on themselves.
Impressively, Preston have beaten Leicester and Ipswich already this season. If beating last season's relegated teams is not a warning to Saints fans then I'm not sure what is.
Preston's most likely goal threat on Saturday
Statistically speaking, Milutin Osmajic has scored the most goals (3) for PNE this season but he's unlikely to feature unless used later-on as a substitute. The Montenegran centre forward hasn't scored for PNE since August and Saints fans may need to look elsewhere for PNE's most dangerous player.
Preston, who have scored two more goals (15) than Southampton (13) this season, are really sharing the goals around. Although Daniel Jebbison (2 goals) presents an aerial threat, it is unlikely that he will be able to make that tell against a Saints back line which is strong in the air.
Using the information to hand and reviewing the video footage, Lewis Dobbin (2 goals, on loan from Aston Villa) looks like PNE's most likely goal threat.
Saints fans: Close your eyes when... Lewis Dobbin gets the ball!
A few watches on YouTube of Lewis Dobbin's goal against Sheffield United is enough to encourage Saints fans to close their eyes if he gets inside shooting range.
His powerful curling 20-yard effort against United in first-half stoppage time was remarkable in its deliberate precision. Watch (or don't watch) out for the 22-year-old attacking midfielder. He'll be wearing Number 33. My fellow Saints fans, you have been warned.
Preston's killer tactic
Preston score most of their goals from open play and a fair share of these come from counter-attacks. PNE mostly attack down the left and they like nothing more than crossing high into the box in search of Jebbision's head.
The visitors are likely to play a variation of 3-5-2. Against stronger opposition, they tend to play in a 5-3-2. They will play direct and on the counter attack.
How Southampton can beat Preston
PNE like to play the offside trap but are none too good at it. A well timed run from deep is in Southampton's locker, so Still's side should look to exploit this weakness.
The Saints can counter-press quite well and PNE struggle to keep possession. Saints might be tempted to press a little harder and try to win the ball back higher up the pitch.
Stating the blatantly obvious now, Southampton need to start taking their chances.
Three things you should know about Preston
1. Preston were the first winners of the English League in 1888-1889. They went unbeaten throughout the season, achieving the league and FA Cup double in the process. Thus, they are regarded as the original 'invincibles' (sorry Arsenal fans).
2. Preston's most famous player is Sir Tom Finney. He joined the club in 1938 and stayed at Deepdale until he retired in 1960. Finney remains the club's top goalscorer with 187 goals from 433 appearances.
3. PNE have never played in the Premier League. The closest that they have come was under David Moyes in 2001, when they were beaten in the play-off final by Bolton Wanderers 3-0 at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff.