Southampton have moved on from a difficult summer and will aim to extend their unbeaten run to six league games when they take on promotion rivals Bristol City at St Mary's Stadium on Saturday.
Starting the season on minus four points was an obvious hindrance for Saints, but it doesn't seem to be affecting their on-field performance.
Tonda Eckert's side are making steady progress and have maintained a 100 per cent home record, thanks to victories over Stoke (3-1), Millwall (5-1) and Swansea (3-1).
They have risen to 13th place, but will need to tread carefully against in-form City, who are on a three-game winning sequence.
Inconsistent results had become the norm for the Robins, who have finished outside of the top 10 in six of the last seven seasons.
But the West Country outfit wanted to tap into a winning mentality and may have done exactly that by bringing in highly-rated head coach Michael Skubala from League One champions Lincoln City.
Skubala is busy winning over a new set of fans and will urge his players to relish the challenge of taking on one of the promotion favourites.
Southampton v Bristol City Tips Summary
Best Bet - Bristol City or draw double chance @ 23/20
Alternative Bet - Rio Cardines anytime assist @ 8/1
Bet Builder - Lorent Tolaj to score anytime, Over 2 goals & Cameron Pring to be carded @ 10/1
Southampton v Bristol City Prediction
Best Bet: Bristol City or draw double chance @ 23/20
City seem to be growing with every positive result and they can become the first away side this season to pick up a point or more on Southampton soil.
There is always room for a surprise package in the Championship and this season could be City's turn to rise above outside expectations.
They have taken seven points from three away games, including last Saturday's 2-1 triumph at Burnley when they were worthy winners against a club with far greater resources.
Skubala's side face a more demanding fixture against in-form Southampton, who are averaging 2.3 goals per league game.
But they will be happy to go toe-to-toe with their illustrious hosts and look overpriced to emerge with at least a share of the spoils.
Alternative Bet: Rio Cardines anytime assist @ 8/1
Bristol City were bold with their recruitment strategy and seem to have upgraded their starting eleven in several positions.
Six summer signings were in the line-up for last Saturday's 2-1 victory at Burnley, including on-loan 20-year-old Crystal Palace full-back Rio Cardines, who has already established himself as a key player.
Cardines has contributed four assists in six appearances and his offensive qualities could give Southampton plenty to think about.
Southampton v Bristol City Bet Builder Tip
Lorent Tolaj to score anytime
Over 2 goals
Cameron Pring to be carded
Pays 10/1
City focused a lot of their recruitment strategy on revamping their attack.
They sanctioned the departure of Emil Riis, who was allowed to move to Leicester City despite last season's nine-goal haul.
And three new strikers arrived from the level below with Elijah Adebayo, Lorent Tolaj and Dom Ballard joining from Luton, Plymouth and Leyton Orient.
There is intense competition for places, but Tolaj has started every game, scoring once, and he could be about to add to his tally.
One of City's more familiar faces is feisty left-sided defender Cameron Pring.
The 28-year-old was carded nine times in 25 league appearances last season and he may be about to pick up his first caution of the new campaign.
Pring faces a testing afternoon against a free-scoring Saints side who should play their part in an entertaining, high-scoring game.
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Key Match Stats
Southampton have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last 10 Championship fixtures
Southampton's last four home games have generated at least four goals
Saints have scored in 18 consecutive home fixtures
Bristol City have scored multiple goals in four successive matches and are unbeaten in those four games
The Robins have tasted defeat in only one of their last eight away games
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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.
