Southampton will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches when they face Stoke at St Mary's on Saturday.
After a slow start to the season, Ronald Koeman's side have won six of their last eight in all competitions to climb up to seventh in the Premier League.
They face a tricky finish to 2015, though, as they take on four of the current top six before the end of the year.
Stoke also have some tough fixtures in the next month but should be buoyed by a 1-0 win over Chelsea last time out that ensured their best-ever start to a Premier League season.
They could also be boosted by Jonathan Walters' international form after he scored twice to secure Republic of Ireland's place at Euro 2016.
Walters has only netted two league goals this season as part of a Stoke attack that has scored a joint-low of 10.
Team news
Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk should be fit despite suffering a knee injury on international duty with Holland.
Koeman said he was "surprised" Shane Long featured as a substitute for Ireland after five weeks out with an ankle problem, but the striker appears to have come through unscathed.
There was bad news for Jay Rodriguez this week as he has suffered an ankle injury which may require surgery, while goalkeeper Fraser Forster is still recovering from a knee op.
Defender Marc Muniesa remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury for Stoke and veteran goalkeeper Shay Given is also still unavailable due to a long-term knee problem.
The Potters are otherwise at full strength, with USA defender Geoff Cameron given an extra day to recover after international duty and Erik Pieters in contention despite breaking his nose in two places against Chelsea.
Opta stats
Both sides have enjoyed one win each in their six Premier League clashes (D4), with both victories coming last season (both at home).
In only one of those six meetings has a team failed to score (Saints' 1-0 home win in October 2014).
Mame Biram Diouf has scored in Stoke's last two clashes with Southampton in all competitions (two goals in total).
Southampton are unbeaten in six Premier League games (W4 D2); the last time they enjoyed a longer unbeaten run in the top-flight was back in November 2013 (eight games in total).
The Potters have lost just one of their last seven top-flight games and have kept four clean sheets in their last five Premier League matches.
Saints have scored the most headed goals in the top flight this season (6).
Merson's prediction
Stoke had a good result a fortnight ago against Chelsea, but they are definitely neither here nor there this season.
They lose at home to Watford then go and beat Chelsea, they're a bag or Revels at the moment, but they do have the players.
Southampton are playing well at the moment, playing some decent football and have formed themselves around Graziano Pelle. He keeps on going even in the tough situations. I see them continuing their form here at St Mary's.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (11/2 with Sky Bet)