Everton make the near 270-mile round trip to the south coast on Saturday to face Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium

The Toffees have failed to win on their last two trips to the seaside city, losing 2-0 on both occasions, but they will be optimistic that it will be third time lucky as they aim to extend their best unbeaten run since Frank Lampard's appointment in January. 

Having lost their opening two fixtures of the season, Everton went on to secure four successive draws before earning their first league win of the campaign with a strong performance against West Ham United in gameweek 8. 

Southampton's form, on the other hand, has stagnated following their strong performance against Manchester United and win at home to Chelsea, with 1-0 defeats to Wolves and Aston Villa either side of their postponed fixture against Brentford.  

The international break has granted the Saints the time to recoup and a fresh start to return to winning ways, while Everton will be targeting their first league win on the road this campaign.  

Team news

Southampton

Ralph Hasenhüttl has no new injury concerns following the international break. Tino Livramento remains a long-term absentee due to his cruciate ligament injury and Romeo Lavia is still sidelined due to the pulled hamstring sustained against Chelsea, but is expected to return in a couple of weeks. 

Everton

Toffees supporters have been the recipient of good and bad news over the past week.

The good being that Jordan Pickford has recovered from the thigh injury that kept him out of England's Nations League fixtures; the bad is that Nathan Patterson is the latest addition to the medical room after he was stretchered off in Scotland's 3-0 win against Ukraine

Lampard is optimistic that Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be involved in some capacity this weekend but the head coach stated in his pre-match press conference "we're working to make sure he comes back in the best [condition], fitness and strength for us." 

Ben Godfrey (fractured fibula), Andros Townsend (knee) and Yerry Mina (ankle ligament) and Mason Holgate (knee) remain unavailable for selection. 

Likely line-ups

Southampton

Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Bella-Kotchap, Salisu, Perraud; Ward-Prowse, Diallo; Kara, Aribo, Armstrong; Adams. 

Everton

Pickford; Coleman, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Onana, Gueye, Iwobi; Gray, Maupay, Gordon. 

Key players

Southampton: Gavin Bazunu

The 20-year-old shot-stopper has been entrusted with a big responsibilities this season and, in the most part, he's done well, but in the past two matches he has been scrutinised for his role in the goal conceded in each game. 

While 'redemption' isn't quite the word to describe it, Bazunu will want to make amends by producing a strong performance and keeping his first Premier League clean sheet against the third-lowest scorers in the league so far. 

The Republic of Ireland international has showcased his shot-stopping ability and will be busy in that regard, but he will need to be proactive and on top of his sweeping game to contend with Everton's counter-attacking threat by dealing with any passes that evade grasp of his defenders.  

Everton: Neal Maupay

With Calvert-Lewin nearing a return, Everton's summer signing will want make a further impression and do something he hasn't achieved since last December: score in successive matches.

Even if he fails to score, he will be a thorn in Armel Bella-Kotchap and Mohammed Salisu's sides as his tenacity will give them little breathing room, and the Frenchman will likely use his experience to get inside the 20-year-old and 23-year-old's heads.

With Southampton's desire to press their opponents high, Maupay's movement and willingness to run in behind will put him at the forefront of Everton's counter-attacks and cause the hosts a lot of problems. 

The 26-year-old scored on his last appearance at St. Mary's with Brighton & Hove Albion and will be keen to repeat the feat.  

Match details 

Where is the game being played? 

St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton

What time is kick-off? 

The kick-off is at 15:00 (BST) On Saturday, 1 October. 

How can I watch?

This game is not being broadcasted in the United Kingdom. 

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