SAINTS will sense a chance to surpass Derby County's 11 points altogether when they host Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Cottagers sit ninth in the league table but have lost three of their last four and this season dropped points against all three relegated sides.

Interim Simon Rusk will be looking for Saints to build on the point they earned last time out with an added-time equaliser in a 1-1 draw at West Ham.

He only made one change to his last starting team for that visit to the Hammers, and could opt for a similar level of consistency yet again.

Here is how we think Rusk will line his charges up...

Formation: (5-3-2).

Goalkeeper

Aaron Ramsdale was very good again against West Ham, and he has been key to almost every point Saints have accumulated this season.

Defenders

Kyle Walker-Peters has impressed Rusk since he took over and will keep his place on the right flank, with Ryan Manning named on the left.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens will fill in between them. Still Southampton's best defence, more than a year later. 

Midfielders

Lesley Ugochukwu netted his first Premier League goal last time out at the London Stadium as he looks to finish his loan spell strongly.

Flynn Downes returned from suspension and showed why he was missed, while Mateus Fernandes is probably the club's best player. 

Attackers

Sensing a theme? It has not happened often this season, but Rusk has a clean bill of health and the opportunity to name an unchanged side.

That would mean Paul Onuachu and Kamaldeen Sulemana starting again, although Cameron Archer will be a temptation for the boss.

Full predicted team

Ramsdale; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens, Manning; Ugochukwu, Downes, Fernandes; Kamaldeen, Onuachu.