Amid what can only be described as a rather underwhelming weekend in the Premier League, Tottenham's trip to Southampton stands out as a fixture that might offer something resembling a close-knit game.

Spurs were a class above Saints in the reverse fixture at Wembley on Boxing Day, but the latter know they need to start picking up points at home to turn their season around, currently laying just one point and one place above the relegation zone.

Of course, that's easier said than done, especially with Spurs winning eight of their last ten across all competitions. But could they come unstuck against Southampton this weekend? Here's everything you need to know before Sunday's 4pm kickoff...

What History Tells Us

Tottenham and Southampton once had almost complete parity in this fixture, but since the latter's return to the Premier League in 2012, the former have dominated. Indeed, that nine-game difference in terms of wins is the exact number of victories the Lilywhites have claimed from their eleven meetings with the south coast outfit during the last six years.

Accordingly, Spurs have scored more goals and conceded less yellow cards, and even their win-rate at St. Mary's is a healthy 33% - just 11% less than the home side's.

The good news for the neutrals though, is that there have only ever been three scoreless draws between both clubs in the Premier League - and the last was all the way back in 2001 - while Spurs have scored at least two goals during their last five visits to St. Mary's. That suggests we'll see plenty of goalmouth action on Sunday.

Referee Influence - Kevin Friend

Kevin Friend is amongst the Premier League's most lenient referees, ranking in the bottom five from the 18 to officiate in the top flight this season for fouls per game, fouls per tackle and yellow cards, and Southampton simply must take advantage of that on Sunday.

A win over Tottenham, especially with Harry Kane in such fine form, will require an expert rearguard display and Friend has consistently given teams license to make physical challenges that blur the line of acceptability - not to mention allow those who do commit fouls to go largely unpunished for it.

That will be vital to stopping Tottenham's fluid attacking play and Friend's huge home bias this season, 83%, is another big positive for Saints to take into the weekend - that's the greatest percentage of any Premier League referee this season.

However, the number of penalties Friend has awarded is a clear warning for both sides; despite his leniency in other areas of the pitch, the 46-year-old has taken a no-nonsense approach to any shenanigans inside the box. Both teams must take that on board or it could be a decisive factor.

Team News

Southampton may be without a Premier League win since November but Mauricio Pellegrino at least appears to have settled on something of a first team formula in recent weeks, with Alex McCarthy preferred in goal and Shane Long replacing Manolo Gabbiadini up top. With the Irishman scoring just one Premier League goal so far this season though, striker Charlie Austin still represents a big loss for the south coast outfit.

Overall, however, we're expecting Pellegrino to name an unchanged side from the one that drew with Watford last time out - although we could see Sofiane Boufal or Nathan Redmond brought into the fold out wide purely to offer some extra pace on the break.

Tottenham too, are likely to stick with their trusted XI on the most-part. However Hugo Lloris is now a doubt due to illness, so his reliable understudy Michel Vorm could be deployed between the sticks instead.

In midfield, meanwhile, anchorman Victor Wanyama could make his first Premier League start since August at the expense of England international Eric Dier - the powerful Kenyan has been regaining his fitness with substitute appearances in recent weeks.

Spurs' attack picks itself these days with Heung-min Son, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Kane all in predictably strong form, and with Danny Rose absent through injury, the only other real spot of contention is at right-back. Serge Aurier started last time out, so we're predicting Kieran Trippier to get the nod this time.

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