Southampton play host to fellow Premier League mid-table side Bournemouth at St Mary’s on Saturday, and while there seems to be little to play for in terms of the standings, there is certainly local pride to be gained.

The two clubs lie around 30 miles apart on the south coast, and while Saints’ biggest rivals are Portsmouth, a clash against the Cherries is still viewed as a derby match.

Claude Puel’s men lie 10th in the table following a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last time out, and lying nine points above the relegation zone and 17 points from seventh-placed Everton and a potential European spot, they look to have little to play for apart from securing a top-half finish.

Meanwhile, Eddie Howe’s side are only behind their weekend opponents on goal difference, and they will see this as the ideal opportunity to move into top 10 and go another step closer to securing their top flight status for another season.

Here are FIVE key battles that will decide the result…

Shane Long vs. Steve Cook

Britain Football Soccer - Southampton v Swansea City - Premier League - St Mary's Stadium - 18/9/16
Southampton's Shane Long in action with Swansea City's Angel Rangel 
Reuters / Peter Nicholls
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With the brilliant Manolo Gabbiadini picking up an injury against Tottenham last time out which has ruled him out of this fixture, it gives an opportunity to Long to impress Claude Puel.

The Republic of Ireland has been relegated to the substitutes’ bench following the arrival of the Italian, who scored six goals in his first five Saints games in all competitions.

However, the south coast outfit need someone to replace those goals now, and the pacey Long will come up against Cook, who has enjoyed another strong season with the Cherries.

Martin Caceres vs. Benik Afobe

With Maya Yoshida away on international duty with Japan during the week, it has been suggested that Caceres could make his Saints debut at St Mary’s on Saturday.

After failing to sign a replacement for Jose Fonte or cover for the injured Virgil van Dijk during the January transfer window, Claude Puel signed the Uruguayan free agent, but he is yet to make his bow for the south coast outfit.

That could come this weekend though and his first task in the Premier League could be to mark Afobe, who scored one and assisted the other in the Cherries’ 2-0 win against Swansea last time out.

Nathan Redmond vs. Adam Smith

Fresh from a fine run of form and after picking up his first full England cap after coming on as a substitute against Germany last week, Redmond should be full of confidence for the match against the Cherries.

The 23-year-old has been especially effective on the left in recent weeks – he scored twice in the 4-3 win against Watford – and Cherries right-back Smith will know that he will need to be on his toes and concentrating when he comes up against the forward.

Redmond loves to run at defenders, and he could be key to helping his side find the scoresheet on Saturday.

Oriol Romeu vs. Josh King

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With 11 Premier League goals to his name this season – including a hat-trick in the 3-2 win against West Ham United earlier this month – King is Bournemouth’s form man coming into the south coast derby.

The Norway international has shown that he can score all types of goals even though he often plays just behind the striker, or out wide.

The 25-year-old is likely to play in the former this weekend, and he will come up against Romeu, who has established himself as one of Saints’ key players this season in front of the back four.

It will certainly be an interesting battle between the two.

James Ward-Prowse vs. Charlie Daniels

Like his Saints teammate Nathan Redmond, Ward-Prowse has hit form for his club side in recent weeks and he was rewarded with a first senior call up to the full England squad earlier this month, and picked up his first cap after coming on as a substitute in the friendly defeat to Germany.

The 22-year-old has been impressing on the right for Claude Puel’s side in recent weeks, and as well as setting up Manolo Gabbiadini for his opening goal in the EFL Cup final, Ward-Prowse also found the net against Tottenham last time out.

He will come up against Daniels – who loves to get forward – on Saturday, and he will be tasked with forcing his opponent to track back at St Mary’s.

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