Can Southampton finish in the Premier League top four, which should be good enough to secure a spot in next season's Champions League.

Their manager Ronald Koeman seems to think so, even though his side are seventh and seven points off fourth-placed Manchester City.

"It's true we have stayed close to them (the top four) but if we show a better away form then we can do it," said the Dutchman. 

"That's the difference between our home games and our away games. We need to improve. If we can win both our away games (coming up) we will have a good end of the season for sure."

Image source, PA

Image source, Getty Images

Hope the Everton and Southampton fans have remembered their sunnies today. Blazing sunshine on Merseyside. Even the Goodison sprinklers have been switched on as both sets of players go through their warm-up drills. 

This would be perfect weather for trunk-wearing Toffees supporter Speedo Mick (you must have seen him on your television screens). But the fundraising fan is out walking - to Wembley...

Everton manager Roberto Martinez: "We haven't been able to celebrate enough victories in front of our own crowd - that's been a real disappointment this season.

 "You are looking at two defeats in 16 away from home that's as good as we've been ... that's an away record that would be top four.

"At home it's totally contrasting - eight defeats is nowhere near good enough, that's where you build your season on the strength of the results at home. That's a contrasting story that is very, very difficult to explain."

Image source, Reuters

Alistair Mann
MOTD commentator

"Despite next weekend's FA Cup semi-final, Everton really need a pick-me-up. With just one win in their last seven league games - against Aston Villa - they could do with a psychological boost, particularly in front of their own supporters.

"Normally so secure at Goodison Park, eight visiting sides have already emerged victorious - on only four occasions have Everton won, three of which were against the current bottom trio.

"The significance of a positive display this weekend can't therefore be underestimated.

"Southampton by contrast will arrive full of confidence - their only defeat in five was a narrow one at Leicester.

"With a top-six finish and European qualification on their agenda, this is sure to be a highly competitive duel."

Has Everton boss Roberto Martinez got one eye on games against Liverpool and Manchester United next week? He makes six changes, perhaps as a precaution rather than necessity, from the midweek draw with Crystal Palace. 

Bryan Oviedo, Leon Osman, Darron Gibson, Muhamed Besic, Kevin Mirallas and Gerard Deulofeu come into the side. Striker Romelu Lukaku and midfielder Ross Barkley, who were both injury doubts, drop to the bench, while James McCarthy is suspended.

Everton XI: Robles, Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Oviedo, Besic, Gibson, Osman, Deulofeu, Kone, Mirallas.

Image source, #bbcfootball

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman is sticking with a winning side as he keeps faith with the same starting 11 that beat Newcastle last week.

Southampton XI: Forster, Martina, van Dijk, Fonte, Bertrand, Wanyama, Clasie, Mane, Long, Tadic, Pelle.

Image source, #bbcfootball

This is from a little earlier...

You know you're bad at your own stadium when only Aston Villa - marooned at the bottom of the Premier League - have a worse home record than you in the top flight this season.

Well, that's exactly the scenario that Everton find themselves in, so can they treat their Goodison Park faithful to only a fifth home Premier League win of the campaign?

Southampton will hope not. The visitors are chasing a European place but they'll have to win at Everton for the first time in the top flight since 1997 if they are to leave with three points.

Image source, Getty Images