Swansea manager Michael Laudrup believes neither his side nor Saints can expect to finish any higher than eighth place in the Premier League this season.

Mauricio Pochettino's men have enjoyed a fine start to the Premier League season, and sit sixth in the table ahead of Swansea's trip to St Mary's tomorrow.

Goalkeeper Artur Boruc has been bold enough to target a top-four finish while Pochettino himself has spoken of his desire to reach the Champions League at some stage.

Laudrup admires their bullishness, but feels Saints should set their sights a little lower.

He said: "It's always good to be ambitious. But, of course, I think there are better teams than that.

"I like the team they have. It's a team who can be in the top ten.

"Those spots - eight, nine and ten - are the maximum for them and us in terms of what we can go for.

"I still believe you have all the big sides. The Manchester clubs, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton. That's seven.

"In my opinion, the rest of us play for eighth position and down."

Swansea narrowly missed out on the 'best of the rest' tag to West Brom last season, finishing ninth as the Baggies secured eighth spot.

Laudrup would like another top-ten finish, but is firstly focused on getting points on the board after facing Manchester United, Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal during the first half dozen league games of the campaign.

"We have to take things step by step," he said.

"We've had a very difficult start. We've played some of the top four and the big teams in the first six games.

"But this is a good test for us on Sunday because Southampton is absolutely one of the best teams of the rest.

"It will be a tough test for us."

Swansea are balancing domestic duties with European competition this term, and Thursday's 1-0 win over St Gallen put them clear at the top of Europa League Group A.

Laudrup hopes the additional preparation time afforded by having played at home, as opposed to on the road, in midweek can help his side on Sunday.

He said: "It is completely different playing home in Europe, as on Friday morning we are in Swansea instead of travelling and coming home at 6am, feeling tired with the time difference as well.

"It is a huge difference from playing away on Thursday and then home on the Sunday."