Wolverhampton Wanderers take on Southampton on Thursday in the FA Cup fifth round.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side made hard work of Chorley last month to set up a tie with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints, who dumped out holders Arsenal.
Arguably, it is a great time to be playing Southampton, who have been in free fall in the Premier League in recent weeks.
After a brilliant start, the wind appears to have gone out of their sails, and they’ve won just one of their last 10 games in the league.
They’ve lost the last five in a row, including 9-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
One would expect they will be desperate to make progress in the FA Cup, but they’ll be unable to call on new signing Takumi Minamino for Thursday’s game.
The star faced Aston Villa for Liverpool back in the third round of the competition, meaning he’ll play no part at Molineux.
A boost for Wolves
That Southampton will be without Minamino is good news for Wolves.
The £75,000-a-week Japan international (Spotrac) has looked very sharp so far since moving to the south coast on transfer deadline day, and he would have been a threat for the visitors.
He took his goal fantastically against Newcastle United on Saturday, suggesting he is determined to make a big impression.
Thankfully, he’s not someone Wolves need to be worrying about.