On paper, life under Ivan Juric began how it ended under Russell Martin for Southampton with a Premier League loss as Saints were beaten 1-0 by West Ham on Boxing Day.
However, Juric’s ideas were clear and he managed to get a tune out his side, even if he did not quite earn the result the performance probably deserved.
A repeat of that form will be needed at Selhurst Park against a Crystal Palace side who also seem to be improving, but Saints may have enough to earn a much-needed point in the capital as they bid to haul themselves away from the top-flight basement.
Draw - 29/10
Despite the result, Southampton were impressive in their 1-0 defeat to West Ham, racking up 18 shots to the Hammers’ 16, while also having three more shots on target (5-2) and 55 per cent of the possession.
Poor finishing cost them on that occasion, but the overall structure of Juric’s 3-5-2 system seemed to suit the players, with Kyle Walker-Peters, Yuki Sugawara and Paul Onuachu in particular benefitting from the switch in tactics.
There was promise in the performance that hadn’t been felt for a long while under Martin and there is every chance the points will start to arrive soon for a side desperately in need of them - the Saints are nine points off safety now - beginning at Selhurst Park.
Palace will be feeling confident themselves after earning a point against a solid Bournemouth side on Boxing Day, but they were beaten 5-1 by Arsenal in their last home game and are prone to drawing matches.
Four of the Eagles’ last seven Premier League matches have finished level and home advantage should not be too much of a factor on Sunday, with Palace winless in four on their own patch.
The hosts will also be without their best defender and captain, Marc Guehi, through suspension, while key midfielder Adam Wharton is also out with injury, further boosting the Saints’ chances in the capital.
Paul Onuachu anytime goalscorer - 3/1
A few Saints players will be kicking themselves after Thursday’s defeat, perhaps none more so than Onuachu.
The Nigerian forward was exceptional in many aspects of his games, with his hold-up play helping Southampton build attacks and his aerial ability causing West Ham all sorts of issues.
His finishing, however, was not exceptional. He had eight shots in total, two of which were on target, and he really should have put one of his many gilt-edged chances away - as proven by his expected goals figure of 0.8 in the game, over half of the Saints’ total of 1.4.
While those missed shots may temper enthusiasm in backing him as a goalscorer against Palace, the fact that he was able to get into the position to have so many chances is a promising sign for what can be achieved by the forward in Juric’s direct system.
With Guehi out the Eagles may struggle to cope with his physicality and, at 3/1, he is a decent enough price to back as an anytime goalscorer at Selhurst Park.
Under 4.5 cards - 5/6
As of close of play on Boxing Day, no Premier League side had received more yellow cards than Southampton’s 53, so it may seem strange to tip the under in that market at first glance.
However, Sunday’s man in the middle at Selhurst Park will be Michael Salisbury, the Premier League’s most lenient referee.
Salisbury has dished out an average of 2.33 yellow cards per game this season, almost a whole booking less than the next most lenient referee, Lewis Smith on 3.25.
Saints have also calmed down a touch in recent weeks, receiving less than three cards in five of their last six matches and there are unlikely to be too many cautions at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Palace have received no more than two in four of their last five games - the exception being their derby clash with Brighton - and things are unlikely to boil over in south London.
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Crystal Palace - 4/7
Draw - 29/10
Southampton - 9/2
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.