SAINTS head to Hull City on Saturday for the first game back after the international break.

The two sides are only separated by goal difference in the Championship table with the Tigers in ninth place and Southampton occupying 10th.

It has been over six years since Saints last faced Hull and both teams know that a win could push them up into the play-off places ahead of a busy period of the season.

Here is what happened the last five times that the two clubs met...

Southampton 0-0 Hull City - April 29, 2017

Competition: Premier League

Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic saved a stoppage time penalty from Dusan Tadic to earn what looked to be an important point at St Mary's.

Kamil Grosicki hit the post earlier in the game for the visitors and Saints were largely frustrated by a solid Hull backline featuring Harry Maguire and Andy Robertson.

Marco Silva's side were later relegated two games later when they were soundly beaten 4-0 at Crystal Palace.

The south coast side ended up finishing eighth in the Premier League under then boss Claude Puel.

Hull City 2-1 Southampton - November 6, 2016

Competition: Premier League

Goals: Robert Snodgrass (61) and Michael Dawson (63)

Charlie Austin (pen, 6)

Hull came from behind to beat Southampton and end a run of six consecutive Premier League defeats.

Saints were awarded a penalty early on when Curtis Davies collided with Maya Yoshida in the box.

Charlie Austin scored the subsequent spot-kick before Virgil van Dijk's header hit the bar early in the second half.

Snodgrass and Dawson both found the net within minutes of each other to turn the game on its head.

Daily Echo: Robert Snodgrass equalises for Hull against SouthamptonRobert Snodgrass equalises for Hull against Southampton (Image: PA)

Southampton 2-0 Hull City - April 11, 2015

Competition: Premier League

Goals: James Ward-Prowse (pen, 56) and Graziano Pelle (81)

Saints climbed up to fifth in the Premier League after comfortably seeing off Hull City on the south coast.

Ward-Prowse opened the scoring from the penalty spot following Alex Bruce's foul on Shane Long.

Italian striker Pelle fired home in the closing stages for his 13th goal in all competitions at a buoyant St Mary's.

Southampton were not quite able to make it into the Champions League but their seventh place finish was enough for them to qualify for the Europa League.

Hull City 0-1 Southampton - November 1, 2014

Competition: Premier League

Goal: Victor Wanyama (3)

Wanyama produced a sensational long range effort to give Saints a 1-0 win at Hull which pushed them up to second in the Premier League.

After Jakupovic's poor clearance, the Kenyan midfielder stepped on to the ball and executed a superb chip to the delight of the travelling Saints fans.

Steven Davis and Sadio Mane both went close to adding to the Southampton lead on an impressive display.

Chants of "We're going to win the league!" were sung by the away following throughout the game.

Hull City 0-1 Southampton - February 11, 2014

Competition: Premier League

Goal: Jose Fonte (69)

Saints defender Jose Fonte reacted quickest to give Saints another important away win at Hull.

The Portuguese international managed to squeeze the ball over the line after a goalmouth scramble to put the visitors in front.

Daily Echo: Jose Fonte celebrates with his Southampton teammates during the 1-0 win at Hull City.Jose Fonte celebrates with his Southampton teammates during the 1-0 win at Hull City. (Image: PA)

Jay Rodriguez's curling shot hit the crossbar while Rickie Lambert missed a couple of opportunities to put the result beyond any doubt.

Shane Long, who played for Hull at the time, hit the post for the home side but Saints were able to hold on.