AFC Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe believes the club's rivalry with Saints has grown - and 'has the scope to get bigger'.
Bournemouth head into Saturday's derby looking to pick up from the 4-0 win at Watford before the international break, which put Howe's side in sixth place.
The Saints, meanwhile, are scrapping for points at the other end of the table as Mark Hughes looks to progress the club on from last season's relegation battle.
It is somewhat a reversal of fortunes on the south coast, given how far the Cherries have come since not so long ago facing the threat of liquidation.
Howe hopes to get plenty more opportunities to tackle their local rivals in the top flight.
"I definitely think it (rivalry) has grown from a point a few years ago, when we hadn't been at this level before," said the Bournemouth boss, who also played in the lower leagues for the club.
"Naturally I don't think that rivalry was there. It has the scope to get bigger, but that will determine on both teams continuing at this level."
Howe added: "We respect Southampton a lot, they are a very good club with very good players, so we don't underestimate them at all, because we know football can change very quickly."
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