Two players with one eye on this summer's World Cup extravaganza look set to face each other at St Mary's on Wednesday night.
Michael Carrick has been the subject matter for a stream of transfer rumours since he rose to prominence in east London, but managing director Paul Aldridge insists that the Geordie is 'happy' where he is amid recent reports that Arsenal are preparing to swoop.
Down on the south coast Anders Svensson has been making waves by the seaside. Southampton's exciting attacking midfielder has netted twice this season with both goals coming in his side's 4-0 demolition of Leicester City - the first a stunning strike by the Swede.
While Saints have been largely reliant on the duo of Marian Pahars and James Beattie for goals, Svensson has done more than the remainder of the squad to help out. The former Elfsborg man has crashed 34 shots at goal, although with just 11 of these on target there is room for some improvement from Svensson - although his effort can't be faulted. Further evidence of his commitment to the cause is plain in his Opta profile - Svensson has made 66 challenges for Gordon Strachan's side and is certainly not afraid of getting his socks dirty.
Carrick has also put in plenty of hard work for the Hammers this term, having attempted in excess of 60 challenges and emerging triumphant from a superior percentage to the Swede. With his lanky stride, the Hammer has been effective in cutting out telling through balls at the back, but has proven equally adept in the other half of the field, striking home two goals from range.
Svensson's contribution in the attacking half should not be underestimated. Only Wayne Bridge has made more successful passes in opposition territory than Svensson, who has found a colleague with an above-average 71% of passes over the halfway line, setting up one goal in the process.
Svensson has made the kind of impact in his fledgling career at St Mary's that Carrick did when he started at West Ham, with the Hammer's vision and industry reportedly impressing eagle eyes from neighbouring clubs. Nevertheless, Carrick is concentrating on his role at Upton Park for the immediate future and will be hoping to steer his team to a fourth successive league win over Saints.
For the ambitious punters among you, surreySPORTS are offering odds of 28/1 on West Ham repeating last season's 3-2 win on Wednesday night.
Mark Willis