A trip to Saints is officially the toughest away game for top four sides in Premier League history.

Bookies Paddy Power have come to that conclusion after looking at all the stats since the top flight’s rebranding prior to the start of the 1992/93 season.

Having taken into account any team that has played five or more seasons in the top flight, and logging their results at home against the top four sides at the end of each season, Saints have emerged in top place.

They have taken 76 points from 60 games, winning 20 matches – exactly a third.

They have also drawn 16 times, while suffering 24 defeats.

That means Saints take on average 1.27 points off the top four sides every time they play them on home soil.

Good news, therefore, for Ronald Koeman’s men ahead of forthcoming home clashes with the two Manchester clubs who would both be expecting top four finishes in 2014/15.

Last season Saints took just two points from their four home games – drawing with champions Manchester City and Arsenal and losing 3-0 to both Chelsea and Liverpool.

However, the 2000/01 season saw the club beat Leeds 1-0, Manchester United 2-1 and, in the famous last league game at The Dell, defeat Arsenal 3-2.

Saints also drew 3-3 with Liverpool, having come back from 0-3 down.