It is all eyes on the south coast on Friday night as high-flying Brighton entertain rock-bottom Southampton in a Premier League shoot-out from the Amex Stadium.
The Seagulls are flying under Fabian Hurzeler and would go second in the table - for a few hours at least - with a win.
It's an intriguing Friday night contest to kick off Matchday 13 with kick-off at the Amex Stadium at 8pm.
- BRIGHTON TO WIN BY ONE GOAL
- MATEUS FERNANDES TO BE BOOKED
- OVER 3.5 SOUTHAMPTON CORNERS
Bet On The Premier League
Saints Come Alive When Backs Against the Wall
With ten defeats in their opening 12 Premier League matches, even most Southampton fans are resigned to the fact that their stay in the top flight is likely to be a brief one.
Four points out of a possible 36 leaves Russell Martin's men marooned and even a win at Brighton would fail to lift them off the foot of the table.
Away from home they have played six and lost six and there won't be too many people giving them a chance of ending that sequence along the coast at Brighton, who just seem to go from strength to strength.
Albion went into the international break by beating champions Manchester City 2-1 and emerged from it with victory at Bournemouth by the same scoreline.
They have played 15 matches this season and lost to just two other clubs, leaders Liverpool and third-placed Chelsea.
Saints have injury concerns on top of their poor form - but if they do lose, expect them to go down with a fight.
What is noticeable about Saints is that amid a number of poor performances they have produced really gutsy efforts against the likes of Arsenal - lost 3-1 after going ahead - Manchester City and only on Sunday against Liverpool, who pipped them 3-2.
They don't get battered and Brighton's last six league wins have been by just one goal.
BRIGHTON TO WIN BY ONE GOAL
Mateus A Rosy Pick for Amex Card
Only Chelsea are behaving worse than Southampton this season and expect Russell Martin's men to collect another flurry of cards at the Amex.
Saints have been shown 40 yellows and two reds in their opening 12 games and Mateus Fernandes is among the contenders to add to that list.
The young Portuguese midfielder has become a mainstay of the Southampton side and grabbed his first Premier League goal for the team in Sunday's 3-2 defeat by Liverpool.
He has also been booked three times and as he commits more fouls than any other Saints' man - 1.7 fouls per game - he may well find himself frustrated chasing Brighton shadows under the lights on Friday.
MATEUS FERNANDES TO BE BOOKED
Keepball Kings Can Pile Up Corner Count
They don't score goals and they don't win games, but Southampton do keep the ball well and because of that win their share or corners, arguably disproportionately considering where they are in the table.
Away from St Mary's they average 5.8 corners per game - only four other sides in the league win more on their travels.
Since Brighton concede 5.1 corners per game, expect the Saints to win at least four.
OVER 3.5 SOUTHAMPTON CORNERS
