Who said this derby didn't matter? They were talking rubbish. St Mary's is buzzing as the players emerge out of their changing rooms and into the tunnel. A rousing rendition of 'When The Saints Go Marching In' is met with plenty of noise from a packed away end. Plenty of smiles from the travelling Cherries fans - they would never have thought back in 2010-11 that their next meeting with Southampton would be in the Premier League. Or if any of them did then I hope they put a pound on it.

Image source, Reuters

Mark: Most Saints fans have a soft spot for Bournemouth. We want to win today, but I'm pleased they are in the Premier League and hope they stay up.   

Rich, Bournemouth: Being a Bournemouth fan but working in Southampton, I'm hoping we can avoid defeat just so I can show up to work tomorrow!    

• Southampton have never lost at home to Bournemouth, winning seven games and drawing four in all competitions.
• Bournemouth's last league victory over Saints was in 1958 in the old Third Division.
• Southampton are unbeaten in their last four league matches (W2, D2).
• Bournemouth have won just one of their last seven Premier League games, losing four and drawing two.

Kevin Kilbane
Former Sunderland and Everton winger on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Getty Images

Not sure if the St Mary's PA announcer is being a bit mischievous in his pre-match music selection here. The Who's classic 'Who Are You?' pumps out - surely not a dig at the Cherries hardly ever being in the same league as the Saints? Maybe I'm over thinking it...

So we have concluded that this derby doesn't quite have the history or intensity of many others in the English game. But Southampton manager Ronald Koeman is hopeful that the two sides can build a Premier League rivalry over the next few years.

"I hope that they will stay in the Premier League so that we will get a few years in a row to play against each other," says the Dutchman.

"Everybody will have more attention to the game, and that makes it a little bit more special."

Image source, Getty Images

Trevor Sinclair
Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 live

Adam Williams
BBC Sport at St Mary's

Just four names remain on the starting team sheet for Ronald Koeman's men from the 2-1 win against Aston Villa in the League Cup on Wednesday.

But, that game allowed attacking midfielder Sadio Mane to get his one-match suspension for his dismissal against Liverpool out of the way.

He returns to partner Dusan Tadic and Steven Davis behind striker Graziano Pelle. 

Image source, Reuters

Derby day tension? Or just another game? I'm interested to know what this match means to Saints and Cherries fans. Don't be shy, pick up your mobile and tell us. Whatever is on your mind today - game-related of course - then we want to know. Will Saints be too strong for injury-hit Bournemouth? Or can the Cherries build on that encouraging performance at Anfield in midweek? Go, go, go!

Simon Brotherton
MOTD commentator at St Mary's

"It's a derby with a certain novelty factor for the fans. The two grounds are just 31 miles apart, but this is only the second season the clubs have been in the same division in 55 years.

"It comes at a tricky time for Bournemouth, who have conceded five goals in each of their last two league matches and have been understandably affected by the loss of key players through injury.

"In contrast, Southampton have lost only one of the last eight in the league. On current form, their record of never having lost a league match at home to their south coast rivals has every chance of continuing."

The camera pans on to Bournemouth midfielder Andrew Surman, who receives a warm round of applause from the earlybirds in the home stands. That's because Surman is returning to his former club today for the first time in six-and-a-half years.

"It is a massive day for me, I've not been back since I left," he says. "It was great walking through the door again, although a lot has changed since I was here. Obviously it is a special day but I've got to put that to one side. We want three points.

"There is always an edge when it is a derby, although this one is not really known because the two teams have not played each other very often. But it is still a massive day.

"We've got nothing to lose, we will try to attack it and hope to come away with three points."

Image source, Getty Images

Adam Williams
BBC Sport at St Mary's

A tale of two players for the visiting Cherries this afternoon.

A landmark moment for midfielder Harry Arter who starts his first top-flight game after five months out with an ankle injury. But defender Steve Cook misses his first league game since 1 February 2014.

Only three changes for Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe from the 1-0 midweek League Cup defeat at Anfield, with Dan Gosling, Andrew Surman and Glenn Murray returning.

Artur Boruc was the man who had to keep picking the ball out of the net against Tottenham last weekend - but he does not face his former club today. The Poland international is out with a thigh injury as Adam Federici, who made some smart saves against Liverpool, keeps his spot.

So this is a home banker, right? Have your say on what the result will be by playing the BBC Sport Predictor game.

Image source, .

Adam Williams
BBC Sport at St Mary's

Image source, BBC Sport

A friendly and warm atmosphere around the ground ahead of this one with both sets of fans happily mingling with each other.

The last time these two sides met in a competitive fixture was March 2011 in League One.

Rickie Lambert's goal two minutes from time sealed a 3-1 victory for Saints.  

Injury-hit Bournemouth do not have the luxury of making huge changes to the team which lost at Liverpool in midweek. Republic of Ireland midfielder Harry Arter makes his first Premier League start following injury.

Bournemouth XI: Federici, Smith, Francis, Distin, Daniels, Ritchie, Gosling, Surman, Arter, Pugh, Murray.

Image source, .

The big guns are back for Southampton, who fielded a much-changed side in Wednesday's League Cup win against Aston Villa. Captain Jose Fonte and England left-back Ryan Bertrand are among the returning players.

Southampton XI: Stekelenburg, Cedric, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand, Wanyama, Clasie, S. Davis, Tadic, Mane, Pelle.

Image source, .

As far as derbies are concerned, it is far to say that this south coast clash is not really on the radar. And with good reason. The two clubs, separated by 30 miles or so, have only been divisional rivals once in 54 previous seasons before Bournemouth joined the Premier League party.

The last time they met? Chelsea were chugging along nicely at the top of the Premier League. Jose Mourinho was the darling of the Bernabeu. And Eddie Howe was masterminding Bournemouth's fortunes. At least some things don't change (conveniently forgetting about his brief time at Burnley)....

Everton v Liverpool. Newcastle v Sunderland. Arsenal v Tottenham. Debating the fiercest local derbies in the pub with your mates would throw up the usual answers. Southampton v Portsmouth would get plenty of shouts too. But Southampton v Bournemouth? Not a chance.

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