SAINTS today start a crazy period of home matches - having not played at St Mary's for virtually two months.

The club are back on home soil against south coast rivals Bournemouth this evening - their first St Mary's encounter since February 4.

Saints have only played two home league games in 90 days in 2017 so far, and none at all in the last 55 days.

Never before in the club's entire history have they gone so long between competitive home games.

But now Claude Puel's men face SEVEN home matches in the last 51 days of a bizarre 2016/17.

That's more than a third of their entire home Premier League fixtures crammed into the final eight weeks of the season.

Today's game against the Cherries is followed by next Wednesday's visit of Crystal Palace.

Saints then welcome Manchester City (April 15), Hull City (April 29) and Liverpool (May 21) - with games against Manchester United and Arsenal still to be arranged.

Arsenal were due to visit St Mary's on February 25, but that was postponed due to Saints' involvement in the League Cup final.

Saints were also due to host United on March 11 - but that was called off as Jose Mourinho's men were still involved in the FA Cup.

Both Arsenal and United games are expected to be rescheduled for May.