SOUTHAMPTON legend Francis Benali has stoked the fires ahead of the crunch clash with Cherries by insisting Saints will finish higher in the Premier League table.

Benali, who made more than 300 appearances for Southampton, expects the St Mary's side to seal a top-10 spot which would leave Cherries having to record by far their best finish in English football to surpass their neighbours.

The teams are locked on 33 points apiece heading into tomorrow's meeting (5.30pm) – although Saints have two games in hand on the Dorset outfit – but Benali feels Cherries are the envy of certain lowly sides in the top flight.

He told the Daily Echo: "Bournemouth are comfortably away from trouble and will look to put more points on the board to make certain of that. 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.

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

There has been much talk of the perceived level of rivalry between the teams following Cherries' promotion to the Premier League but Benali believes the relationship between the sides is the polar opposite of that between Southampton and their main rivals.

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."

Benali will be joined by Matt Le Tissier for a special evening at Brockenhurst Football Club on Friday, April 7. Contact the club for further details.