Southampton vs Tottenham: Mauricio Pochettino returns - but what happened when Tottenham visited St Mary's last season?

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at St Mary’s

Mauricio Pochettino returns to St Mary’s on Saturday for the first time since leaving Southampton for a clash with both sides hunting European football.

Tottenham find themselves sixth in the Premier League level on points with Liverpool in fifth while Southampton are hot on their tails and trail just one point behind.

Many believed Southampton would struggle this season after losing Pochettino as well as star players Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw and Rickie Lambert – with some even tipping the Saints to go down.

However, Ronald Koeman has stepped up to the plate and spent wisely, putting his side in with a genuine shout of finishing in the Europa League places. The Dutchman added the likes of Graziano Pellee, Dusan Tadic and Fraser Forster as well as signing left-back Ryan Bertrand in the January transfer window.

Morgan Schneiderlin will also be under the spotlight in the lunchtime kick-off as the Frenchman has been linked with a move to White Hart Lane since last summer. However, Schneiderlin feels the return of Pochettino will not affect Southampton.

"He's a great manager, we achieved great things last year but the page is turned," said the Saints’ midfielder.

Southampton have defended admirably all season but will have the task of stopping the red hot Harry Kane who reached the 30 goal mark last weekend against Newcastle.

Expect a tight but entertaining affair on the south coast as both sides attempt to secure European football for next season.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino (Getty Images)

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 12:45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Tottenham 1 (Eriksen) Southampton 0, Premier League, October 2014

Tottenham 3 (Eriksen 2, Sigurdsson) Southampton 2 (Rodriguez, Lallana), Premier League, March 2014

Southampton 2 (Lallana, Lambert) Tottenham 3 (Adebayor 2, Hooiveld o.g.), Premier League, December 2013

STATS…

Spurs have won their last five Premier League games against Southampton before losing four of five before this run.

Southampton have scored just eight goals in their last 11 Premier League matches.

Christian Eriksen has scored three goals in three Premier League games against Saints.

Southampton have allowed fewer shots on target against them than any other team in the Premier League (93).

ODDS…

Southampton to win: 2.1

Tottenham to win: 4

Draw: 3.5

TV: Live on BT Sport at 12:45pm and highlights on BBC One at 10:30pm.