Tottenham Hotspur make the trip to face Southampton on the south coast having got back to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
Ralph Hasenhuttl's side play host to Spurs at St Mary's sitting two points above the relegation zone.
Southampton
© ReutersSouthampton have recorded just five points from their last half-a-dozen outings in the top flight, but the club's supporters remain confident of a successful future under Hasenhuttl.
That could be dependent on survival in the Premier League, but the Saints have one of the more favourable season-ending schedules with no visits having to be made to teams featuring in the top six.
The last of those came last weekend as Southampton produced an impressive showing against Manchester United at Old Trafford, only for a late effort from Romelu Lukaku to deny the visitors a deserved share of the spoils.
Each of Southampton's two goals - from Yann Valery and James Ward-Prowse - were goal-of-the-month contenders, but Hasenhuttl watched his side be prepared to go toe to toe with their in-form opponents and only just miss out on an important point.
Things get no easier for Southampton with Spurs having just reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but there will at least be a belief that the style of football which they are playing can trouble the top teams.
Southampton have failed to beat either Crystal Palace or Cardiff City at St Mary's over the past five weeks, but home triumphs have been registered over Arsenal and Everton since Hasenhuttl's arrival at the club at the end of 2018.
The Austrian will have one eye on Cardiff who remain in close proximity behind them, although three points this week may bring Brighton & Hove Albion into play ahead of their meeting at the end of March.
Southampton still need to improve defensively with just one clean sheet coming in 10 outings, but at this stage of the season Hasenhuttl will settle for getting points on the board by any means necessary.
Recent form: DDLLWL
Tottenham Hotspur
© ReutersA return of just one point from three domestic games has resulted in Mauricio Pochettino having to start to look over his shoulder towards the chasing pack, but Spurs will at least travel to the south coast in a positive frame of mind.
Back-to-back defeats to Burnley and Chelsea could have potentially led to more disappointment against Arsenal in the North London derby, but a comeback point which included a last-minute penalty save from Hugo Lloris led to a draw feeling like a win.
The lack of wins effectively took away any possibility of complacency setting in ahead of the second leg against Dortmund in the Champions League last 16, despite a 3-0 advantage being held from the first game at Wembley Stadium.
Spurs had to ride their luck on several occasions during the first half of Tuesday night, but a second-half Harry Kane goal helped Pochettino's men record a 4-0 aggregate success against the Bundesliga leaders.
The result was a reminder that this remains a talented and united squad who can match anyone on their day, but Pochettino has been left continuing to search for the consistency required to end the club's wait for another trophy.
A game against a club struggling team at the wrong end of the table is arguably the perfect fixture for Pochettino to see whether his players have learned from their recent setbacks, although his observations will have to come from the stands, having being handed a two-match touchline ban.
The punishment is a blow from an individual perspective, but it at least gives Pochettino the same viewpoint that he will have when Spurs face Liverpool at Anfield in three weeks time.
The enforced break may come at the right time for the club, but that opinion could change if Spurs go a fourth Premier League game without success.
Recent form: WWWLLD
Recent form (all competitions): WWLLDW
Team News
© ReutersDele Alli has returned to training over the past few days, and that may lead to the England international being included on the substitutes' bench.
Kieran Trippier was rested in midweek and should return to the starting lineup, while Eric Dier and Harry Winks each made successful returns at the Westfalenstadion.
Pochettino could potentially opt to switch to a back four, a move which would likely lead to Davinson Sanchez being dropped to the substitutes' bench.
Hasenhuttl may decide to name an unchanged starting lineup at the weekend, although Danny Ings may be ready to return to the bench after a hamstring injury.
Mario Lemina and Michael Obafemi will play no part in the squad.
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Gunn; Bednarek, Yoshida, Vestergaard; Valery, Romeu, Hojbjerg, Bertrand; Ward-Prowse, Redmond; Austin
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Dier, Winks; Sissoko, Eriksen, Son; Kane
Head To Head
Saturday's match will represent the 193rd competitive meeting between the two clubs, with Spurs claiming 81 wins in comparison to 62 triumphs for Southampton.
Spurs have been dominant in this fixture since 2012, with 10 victories and two draws coming from 13 encounters in the Premier League.
Southampton's sole success during that period was a 2-1 win at White Hart Lane in May 2016.
We say: Southampton 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton continue to play positive football under Hasenhuttl and have had three days more rest than Spurs, but the visitors will be aware that a win on Saturday could prove pivotal in the race for third position and we expect Pochettino's side to fight their way to a narrow success.
