Saints have a perfect chance to end one of the worst away runs in the club’s recent history when they take on Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.

It has been more than 18 years since Saints last left Everton with three points, a run that has taken in eight defeats and just two draws in ten games.

However, with Saints on the hunt for points to boost their chances of European qualification, they will take on an Everton side desperately lacking in confidence in front of their own fans.

The Toffees have the second worst home record in the Premier League this season – only rock bottom Aston Villa, who Saints travel to the following weekend, have won less games.

Everton have recorded just four home victories in 16 matches, drawing another four and, remarkably given the strength of their squad, losing eight.

Goals have certainly not been in short supply at Goodison Park this season.

Only three teams in the top flight have scored more goals at home than Everton’s 28 – one of whom are Saints, who are second in that particular table with 31 at St Mary’s.

The Toffees’ problems, however, are laid bare when you consider that they have the second worst record in the top flight for conceding goals at home this season.

They have let in 29 on their own turf this season, with only Championship bound Aston Villa having been leakier at the back.

With Saints coming into the match on the back of three wins in their last four games, and with Robert Martinez under increased pressure as restless Everton fans start to vent their frustration, it seems a perfect time for Saints to try and end their run.

Ronald Koeman has targeted a minimum of four points from the back-to-back away fixtures at Everton and Aston Villa to keep Saints’ European charge on track.

The Saints boss is aware if that if his side can go better, and secure a pair of victories on the road, they are likely to find themselves in a real position of strength heading into the final few games of the campaign.

The last time Saints won at Everton was in November 1997 when Matt Le Tissier and Kevin Davies scored the goals in 2-0 victory.

That in itself was a record ending run victory with Saints having failed to win in their previous five visits to Goodison Park, which included a famous 7-1 hammering.