Southampton will face Tottenham on Sunday lunchtime with both teams yet to score this season. The Saints suffered a second loss in quick succession to Brentford in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, whilst Spurs lost their first game against a heavily invested in Everton team.
No-one wants to lose two in a row in the Premier League opening fixtures, adding extra importance to the clash even at this early stage of the season.
* Team news
Nathan Redmond will be missing for this clash after sustaining ligament damage in the midweek loss.
Mohammed Salisu is also unlikely to be involved as he builds up his fitness and Ralph Hassenhüttl has already said he will be available in October.
More positive news for the Saints is that Stuart Armstrong, injured on Scotland duty has returned to training and may be in contention, although most likely as a substitute.
Japhet Tanganga is definitely ruled out with Serge Aurier a doubt.
With 2 signings expected prior to the match, all eyes will be on Gareth Bale and whether he is fit to make the squad along with fellow new recruit Sergio Regulión.
* Ones to watch
Southampton – Danny Ings
Hoping to repeat last seasons incredible goal scoring form, Danny Ings is number one name on the team sheet and the key to Saints doing well this season.
Ings scored in the same fixture last season and will hope to open his account against Spurs. Having forced his way back into the England squad, and won his second cap recently after a five-year gap, he should be going into the game with last seasons confidence and momentum fully behind him.
Southampton – Jack Stephens
Rumoured to be in talks over a long term deal this week, Saints and Hassenhüttl are showing Jack Stephens that he is highly rated at the club. Good on the ball but prone occasionally to a lapse in concentration, he needs to establish himself as a leader in the back 4.
With Jan Bednarek coming off at half time for tactical reasons against Crystal Palace, the former Plymouth youngster appears to be the senior centre back currently at the club.
In the first two games this season, Saints defence has looked at sixes and sevens. The same back 4 as finished very well last season is still not back to match pace, the lack of preseason shining through.
If Stephens can take on the extra responsibility and guide the defence though a tricky game against top strikers, Saints will have a chance of repeating last seasons win.
Tottenham – Harry Kane
It seems obvious, even boring to pick the England Captain, but he without doubt poses Tottenham’s biggest threat. In the Jose Mourinho era, he has struggled with both form and injury, although many would put that down to the current style of football being played.
One thing is for sure, if chances can be created from any of the talented but sometimes inconsistent wide players, or Giovanni Lo Celso or Eric Lamela can step into the creative role voided by Christian Eriksen, Kane will provide the finishes, it’s what he does best.
Tottenham – Gareth Bale?
The messiah has returned, in the eyes of Spurs fans at least and he could be the catalyst that finally gets this Mourinho team firing. With an extensive injury history, his signing may be an All or Nothing gamble, but if he can stay fit and recreate the form that saw him earn his move to Real Madrid and 4 Champions League titles, it will be an inspired signing.
Some would say this game is his true homecoming, as he returns to the club he started his career at. As a talented but at times lightweight left-back, Bale played one full championship season at St Marys, before his £5 million move to Spurs.
Despite a slow start, 146 games and 42 goals later, including an infamous hat-trick against Inter Milan, that £5 million was dwarfed when the Welsh captain moved to the Spanish capital for £85.3 million. Spurs will be hoping he will sign in time to play some part on Sunday.
* Last time out
It was New Years Day the last time these teams met in the Premier League at St Marys. Kane suffered a nasty hamstring injury when scoring a disallowed goal, however, it was his current England back up Ings that grabbed the only goal of the game, turning one former Saint, Toby Alderweireld inside out before slotting calmly past another, Paulo Gazzaniga.
A few weeks later they met again in the FA Cup, Sofiane Boufal who is rumoured to be on his way out of Saints, scoring a late equaliser to cancel Heung-Min Son’s second half strike, before Spurs won the replay 3-2.
* Where to watch
The game is live at midday, Sunday 18th September, on BT Sport.
* Key quotes
Ralph Hassenhüttl
After two poor results, Hassenhüttl spoke about the start to the season:
"I agree, it was not the start we wanted to have but when you step out of pre-season you do not know what level you are.
"When you compare us to the end of last season we are not where we hoped to be. There are some reasons for that but we have to use the games we have to get back to that level."
On the quality in the Spurs line up:
"We do not have to talk about individual quality Spurs have. We will never compete with them one on one, but that is not the goal that we have.
"It is about our commitment and our teamwork. If we do it well we can win against anyone."
Inevitably questioned about Ings to Totenham rumours, the Austrian was adamant in his response:
"I don't know how often I spoke last season about Ings and how important he is.
"All I want to say is that there is zero interest from Danny to go anywhere. It is not discussable. We will not let one of the best strikers go.
"Any rumours are absolutely nonsense."