RONALD Koeman will be sweating on events in the Premier League tonight as Europa League rivals West Ham, Liverpool and Manchester United play games in hand.

Saints have played one more (34) than both 5th-placed United and the 6th-placed Hammers, while Liverpool have still six games to play - two more than Koeman's side - ahead of the Merseyside derby with Everton at Anfield tonight.

The four clubs are battling it out for a maximum of TWO Europa League places in the Prem as things stand.

Jurgen Klopp's 8th-placed side are in hot form, having recently reached the semi-final of the Europa League and have won two and drawn one in the Premier League since the 3-2 defeat at St Mary's last month.

A victory over the Toffees, who are set to name a weakened team ahead of their FA Cup semi-final on Saturday against United at Wembley, will see the Reds leapfrog Saints and pull three points clear with one game in hand.

Although, Liverpool could still secure Champions League football if they win the Europa League. They play Spanish side Villareal in a two-legged semi-final.

West Ham meanwhile will look to shake-off that dramatic 2-2 draw with leaders Leicester at the weekend against other FA Cup semi-finalists Watford, who have won one in four in the league.

Like Roberto Martinez's side, all their focus will be on the cup last four at the weekend rather than on a meaningless league game, who face Crystal Palace on Sunday at Wembley.

That will mean Slaven Bilic's side will be well-placed to end a run of five straight Premier League draws in tonight's London showdown at the Boleyn Ground.

If they do come away with a win, Saints will be five points behind the Hammers with four games to go.

Finally, Louis van Gaal's United take on fellow FA Cup semi-finalists Palace at Old Trafford.

A victory over ex-Saints boss Alan Pardew for the Red Devils will see Saints almost out of sight. Eight points would separate the two if that is the case.