Cedric Soares has a shot from about 25 yards, but it is sliced high and wide.

Not known for his goals is the Portugal right-back - he's never scored for Saints in almost three years.

I'm not sure Palace have been out of their own half yet.

The lively Nathan Redmond slots it to Dusan Tadic in the box, but the Serbia midfielder can only find the hands of goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey from a tight angle.

It's all Southampton in the early stages.

Cedric Soares collects the ball on the right-hand side of the penalty box and his cross is scrambled out for a corner.

It comes to nothing, but good start for Saints.

Wow, Southampton could have been ahead in the opening 40 seconds.

Nathan Redmond bursts forward and sends Shane Long clean through, but the Republic of Ireland striker places his shot just past the post.

Big chance for the hosts.

Palace get the game under way on the south coast.

Plenty at stake for both sides - it could be a cracker!

Both teams are out. The pitch at St Mary's looks absolutely perfect.

Let's hope we see some quality football to match.

Kick-off is a matter of moments away...

Tony Husband
BBC South Today sports editor

"A Crystal Palace fan cut my hair last week and when I suggested Sam Allardyce would steer them to safety he warned me to take a look at their daunting fixture list.

"Palace still have to play Spurs, Arsenal, Liverpool and both Manchester clubs. So the barber's point, with no disrespect aimed at Southampton, was that three points is a must on the south coast.

"However, that was before the Eagles' stunning win at Chelsea. The low-scoring Saints will want to avoid going the same way as the champions-elect and need a performance in front of their home fans.

"If Palace win, my barber will be singing while he's trimming next time around."

Southampton  make two changes from Saturday's goalless draw against Bournemouth.

Sam McQueen replaces Ryan Bertrand at left-back and Shane Long comes in for Jay Rodriguez as the lone striker.

Southampton XI:  Forster, McQueen, Yoshida, Stephens, Soares, Romeu, Davis, Redmond, Tadic, Ward-Prowse, Long.

Crystal Palace  are forced to make one change, with Martin Kelly replacing Scott Dann who suffered knee ligament damage in the win at Chelsea.

Wilfried Zaha makes his 250th appearance for Palace, while Christian Benteke continues to lead the line.

Crystal Palace XI:  Hennessey, Schlupp, Sakho, Kelly, Ward, Milivojevic, Cabaye, Zaha, Puncheon, Townsend, Benteke.

Image source, Getty Images

Hello and welcome to our coverage of Southampton against Crystal Palace from St Mary's.

Palace, fresh from their stunning 2-1 victory at Premier League leaders Chelsea on Saturday, are looking for a fifth-straight league win. They're currently four points clear of the drop zone.

Southampton, in 13th, are still not safe but they have two games in hand on most of the teams around them.

Team news coming right up...