Southampton's first European encounter for 12 years could not have gone much better.
The Saints recorded a 3-0 victory over Vitesse, which means that they head into the return leg in Arnhem this Thursday with one foot firmly in the Europa League qualifiers.
Vitesse
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Vitesse had gone into the first leg on a run of five pre-season friendlies without defeat, but all that optimism disappeared after just 90 minutes on the South Coast.
As far as head coach Peter Bosz was concerned, the defeat probably did not tell him anything that he was not already aware of. After all, having lost the services of key players Marko Vejinovic and Davy Propper and replaced them with an influx of youngsters on loan, beating a Premier League side was always going to be a tall order.
Nevertheless, in front of their own supporters at the GelreDome, Bosz will be expecting much from his players at they head into the new Eredivisie season on Sunday.
Their recent home form in Europe will not have exactly inspired much confidence for the visit of the Saints, though, with three defeats having been suffered in their last four outings.
However, they can at least take some solace from the fact that domestically they showed some good home form last season. Only champions PSV Eindhoven got the better of Vitesse, while the likes of Ajax were defeated.
Recent form: DWDWWL
Southampton
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While managers will always say that their team could have played better, regardless of the winning margin, Ronald Koeman is bound to have been delighted with the way that his side set about dismantling Vitesse at the St Mary's Stadium.
The three-goal margin has not only all but booked Southampton's place in the playoffs, it will also allow Koeman to rest some of his key players. With a lengthy trip to Newcastle United on the opening weekend of the 2015-16 Premier League campaign to come on Sunday, that could well be an attractive proposition for the Dutchman.
The Saints will certainly travel to Arnhem and Tyneside in positive form, having scored 17 goals in their last four pre-season games.
Their latest friendly outing saw them play host to La Liga outfit Espanyol. While a 1-1 draw may have been a slightly disappointing result, the identity of the goalscorer will have been pleasing. Jay Rodriguez spent all of last season on the sidelines with a knee ligament injury, but it appears that the England international is now close to full fitness.
Beating Vitesse last time out sealed a first European victory for Southampton since 1981 and you have to go back a further five years to find their only other away triumph in European football.
That came at the expense of Northern Irish club Carrick Rangers, who were beaten 5-2 by their English opponents, thanks in part to a brace from Mick Channon.
Recent form: LWWWWD
Team News
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The only blot on the victory over Vitesse was the fact that new signing Jordy Clasie limped off during the second half.
The extent of the midfielder's hamstring injury has not been revealed, but it is believed that he will sit out this encounter.
As a result, England Under-21 international James Ward-Prowse could come into the side, while Koeman may also rotate his options with his side's place in the next round practically in the bag.
That may mean that the likes of Rodriguez, Juanmi and Cuco Martina will all earn places in the starting lineup.
Meanwhile, English youngsters Lewis Baker and Izzy Brown, both of whom are on loan from Chelsea, are expected to feature for the home team.
Vitesse possible starting lineup:
Room; Diks, Kashia, Leerdam, Achenteh; Baker, Nakamba, Vako, Brown; Djurdjevic, Oliinyk
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Stekelenburg; Cedric, Fonte, Yoshida, Martina, Wanyama, Ward-Prowse, Davis; Long, Rodriguez, Juanmi
Head To Head
Prior to last week's encounter, Southampton had never faced a club from the Netherlands.
For Vitesse, their negative record against English opposition continues. They have not scored in any of their five games against Premier League clubs, conceding eight goals in the process.
Liverpool and Norwich City are the two sides that have previously visited Arnhem, with a 1-0 win and a 0-0 draw being played out respectively.
We say: Vitesse 1-2 Southampton
Koeman may make changes, but with competition for places at Southampton, those that come in will feel that they have a point to prove. Consequently, it should still be a determined side that takes to the field, despite the 3-0 advantage. Vitesse could well score this time, but the Saints should still have enough to win through.
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