Francis Benali believes Saints will finish higher in the Premier League than neighbours AFC Bournemouth - but accepts it's now a "tall challenge" to better last season's record breaking effort.

Ahead of the Cherries' visit to St Mary's tomorrow, Saints legend Benali has backed Claude Puel's men to seal a top 10 finish.

That would leave Bournemouth having to record by far their best finish in English football to trump Saints.

The teams are locked on 33 points apiece heading into tomorrow's meeting  – although Saints have two games in hand on the Dorset outfit.

"Bournemouth are comfortably away from [relegation] trouble and will look to put more points on the board to make certain of that," Benali said.

"There are a lot of other sides struggling who would love to swap places with them.

"I'm confident they will do well and stay up. They were on a bit of a sticky run at one point and have done well to turn it around.

"It's good to fly the flag for the south coast by having the two teams in the league.

"Naturally, I have a bias but I think Southampton will just pip Bournemouth in the final table."

Benali views another sixth place finish for Saints as a big ask.

"I've said from the beginning of the season that a top 10 finish would be far from a disgrace for Southampton," he added.

"They have been incredible, year on year, over recent seasons. Bettering sixth is a tall challenge.

"A top 10 finish would be decent and my expectations are that Southampton will achieve that."

Since the Cherries' arrival into the Premier League last term there has been talk - mainly when this fixture comes around - over whether there is a rivalry between the teams or not.

Benali believes - like many from the Saints end - that there is not one, but wouldn't rule it out in the future.

He said: "I wouldn't call it a rivalry anywhere near the lines of Southampton-Portsmouth. There is such a long, historical rivalry with Portsmouth which just seems to be ingrained.

"I think there has been extremely good relations between Saints and Bournemouth over the years. I remember a number of times during my career coming down and playing in either a fundraising game or a testimonial.

"In my eyes, Saints-Bournemouth isn't a rivalry but, naturally, given the geographical locations of both clubs I understand why some people would bill it as that.

"Playing each other more regularly will naturally build rivalry and I see no reason why the clubs can't continue that for many years.

"It's good to have these games to play, as long as things don't boil over into anything stupid, particularly off the pitch.

"There is always going to be that competitiveness on the pitch. That goes without saying. A fixture where there is a rivalry adds spice and I can certainly see that being healthy for both clubs in the future."