Southampton will bid to continue their strong start to life back in the Championship when they play host to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon.
At a time when the Saints are unbeaten in three league games, the visitors have lost two of their fixtures over the same period to sit in 17th position in the table.
Match preview
Until the transfer window is closed, Southampton face the prospect of losing more important players and having to identify suitable replacements.
Nevertheless, despite the ongoing transitional period, Russell Martin has still managed to accumulate seven points from his opening three games in the Championship.
In each of the matches against Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich City and Plymouth Argyle, the Saints have netted important late goals, with the indication being that their passing game is leaving the opposition fatigued during the closing stages.
As other teams begin to adapt, that may only get Southampton so far, yet Martin will be the first to acknowledge that points on the board is the crucial factor at this stage of the season.
While Southampton are the second top goalscorers in the division with eight strikes, half of those goals have come players in Nathan Tella and Che Adams who may soon be leaving for pastures new.
Gareth Ainsworth appears to be under constant pressure at QPR, a consequence of losing 11 of his 17 matches in charge in all competitions.
The latest setbacks have come at home to Norwich City and Ipswich Town by 1-0 scorelines, with the most recent defeat being at the hands of the league leaders.
However, Ainsworth has guided the Hoops to victory in three of their last four away fixtures in the Championship, those triumphs occurring at Burnley, Stoke City and Cardiff City.
Facing a free-scoring Southampton side arguably represents the stiffest test of the lot, yet conceding just three times in as many games since the 4-0 defeat at Watford on the opening weekend can only have left Ainsworth feeling quietly optimistic about the development of his backline.
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Team News
While Adams could remain in the Southampton attack, Tella may be left out if there has been any progress with a possible switch to Bayer Leverkusen.
Joe Aribo and Sekou Mara are both on standby to come into the attack, but Will Smallbone is again expected to miss out with an ankle injury.
Flynn Downes will be considered for an immediate debut in midfield after his loan switch from West Ham United.
Despite defeat last time out, Ainsworth may see little reason to tinker with his defensively-solid QPR XI.
Nevertheless, Jack Colback may be drafted into the team after coming through the second half against Ipswich, Andre Dozzell's place in midfield potentially at risk.
If Lyndon Dykes is deemed fit enough to return to the side, he will likely replace Sinclair Armstrong.
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Stephens, Manning; S. Armstrong, Charles, A. Armstrong; Tella, Adams, Edozie
Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Begovic; Kakay, Cook, Fox; Smyth, Colback, Field, Paal; Willock, Armstrong, Chair
We say: Southampton 3-0 Queens Park Rangers
While QPR have prevailed in some important away fixtures under Ainsworth, we feel that it will not be the case at the weekend. Southampton already have a squad capable of pushing for promotion this season and we expect them to cruise to victory at their home ground.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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