Ralph Hasenhuttl has said Southampton must avoid defeat against Burnley to ensure Premier League survival remains in their own hands.

The Saints head into Saturday's fixture at Turf Moor unbeaten this year after James Ward-Prowse netted a late equaliser against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

Southampton, Burnley and Palace, who host Fulham at Selhurst Park, are all tied on 23 points in the fight to avoid the drop.

A win for Hasenhuttl's side could move them seven points clear of the relegation zone, but a defeat at Burnley will leave them looking nervously over their shoulders.

Southampton are much improved under Hasenhuttl, but the Austrian has stressed to his players the significance of stopping their relegation rivals from securing all three points on Saturday.

"It's more important that we go unbeaten against these types of opponents," he said.

"It is a team that also is fighting for everything and it is not easy to take points in such games."

Burnley were within minutes of securing a shock victory at Manchester United on Tuesday, before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side salvaged a point with two late goals.

Hasenhuttl added: "We know Burnley played a good game against Man United and nearly won.

"So, it will be the same for us against Burnley as it was against Crystal Palace, an opponent in our relegation battle who is fighting for every point.

"At the moment, the teams in this zone have a great mentality, because they know how important it is to take points, especially in these duels against opponents in their area.

"We are in a good position now, four points ahead of Cardiff with a better goal difference, so it looks good, but we are still not out of trouble."

Hasenhuttl is confident midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will be fit to face the Clarets after he suffered a cut to his head in the 1-1 draw with Palace.

The match against Burnley will be Hasenhuttl's 10th Premier League fixture in charge, having overseen four wins, three defeats and two draws.

Following Burnley, the Saints will host Cardiff at St Mary's next Saturday in what is set to be a pivotal week for the club.

"If you'd told me when I was starting that on this matchday we are three or four points ahead of Cardiff, I would've said 'perfect, I'll take this'," Hasenhuttl added.

"It has been pressure from the first day. I knew it would take until the end of the season, but these two games can be a crucial step in the right direction.

"The team is unbeaten in 2019 until now, and that's more than we could expect.

"We are still not at the end of our development, so we have a lot of things to improve, but I think we are in a good way and we will try to protect this successful way we are in at the moment."