The FA Cup third round replays will be played this week and on Wednesday night we have a meeting between the Premier League and Championship. Southampton host Derby County at St Mary’s Stadium with the reward a fourth round tie away to Accrington Stanley.
Southampton know this is their only real chance of picking up a trophy this season. They cannot qualify for Europe via the Premier League so may as well give this a good go. Derby County have the small matter of promotion to the Premier League on their mind but a win in this match would give them huge confidence for the rest of the season.
Following the exciting 2-2 draw in the previous match between these two teams, Southampton travelled to the King Power Stadium to play Leicester City in the Premier League. The Saints went in 2-0 up at half-time and despite conceding in the second half, Southampton went on to win the game.
It was a big boost in their bid to avoid relegation and should see both the players and fans arrive in a positive frame of mind. Southampton are unbeaten in their last three games, picking up a point in a 0-0 draw at Chelsea prior to the FA Cup match at Derby County.
Southampton have a good recent record in the FA Cup and have lost only one of their last six games in the competition. They reached the semi-final last season and will be hoping for another long run in this campaign.
Derby County did well to come back from 2-0 down in the first match against Southampton and could have won it towards the end of the 90 minutes. A replay is not ideal for the Rams and they suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Championship leaders Leeds United on Friday night, which was a blow to their promotion bid.
Derby County were involved in a spying scandal ahead of the game with Leeds United which has been rumbling on since and will not have helped preparations for this match.
However, Derby Country remain in the playoff places in the Championship and the loss to Leeds United is their first in four games. They were previously held at home by Middlesbrough and defeated Norwich 4-3 away.
Derby County have been very inconsistent away from home, winning three and losing four of their last seven away matches.
Southampton have three players suspended with Charlie Austin, Yan Valery and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg all being forced to sit this one out. Mario Lemina, Michael Obafemi, Danny Ings and Ryan Bertrand are all struggling with injury.
Scott Malone was on the bench for Derby County on the weekend and could come back into the starting XI. Mason Bennett, Ikechi Anya, Curtis Davis and Craig Forsyth are injured and there are doubts over Harry Wilson.
Derby County have been tough to beat recently but have managed just one win in their last seven games. With home advantage, Southampton are expected to progress but we could see both teams score.