MICHAEL Laudrup reckons victory this weekend would seal a top-half Premier League finish for Swansea City and insists: "I'd rather beat Southampton than Chelsea."
Swansea go in search of their first win in five Premier League games against the in-form Saints at the Liberty tomorrow.
And though the fixture means a meeting of two sides in mid-table, Laudrup reckons home success is essential if Swansea are to reach their final target for the season.
"I will tell the players when we have our meeting a couple of hours before the game that I think this is must-win if we want to end the season in the top ten," Laudrup said.
"And I believe that if we can win, we will finish in the top ten.
"People will say it would be great to beat Chelsea, but I would rather win against Southampton.
"They are our direct rivals in the table and if we win, we will be six points ahead of them with five games to go.
"I always prefer to beat one of our rivals than one of the big teams.
"Southampton have done well — they have had a couple of big results in the last few weeks.
"But we play at home against a side who at our level, and we have to try to take advantage of playing on our pitch."
For much of the season Southampton have looked like relegation contenders, but a fine run of form under new boss Mauricio Pochettino looks to have pulled them clear of any danger.
The St Mary's side will look to extend their unbeaten run to six games in SA1.
"Maybe the pressure is off them now, but pressure can be good or bad for a team," Laudrup added.
"West Ham were not under pressure against Manchester United this week but they played very well.
"But I also watched Stoke, who are under pressure, against United, and they struggled much more than West Ham."
Laudrup has a number of selection calls to make after the draw at Norwich a fortnight ago ended Swansea's three-game losing streak.
Leon Britton is back in contention after missing the Carrow Road trip because of the arrival of his twin sons, while Angel Rangel is pushing for a recall after starting on the bench in East Anglia.
Long-term absentee Neil Taylor could also feature in the Swansea 18 tomorrow some eight-and-a-half months after shattering his ankle.
"Neil did well for the under-21s the other night and he will be part of the squad in the Premier League again, maybe this weekend," Laudrup said.
Britton's return gives Laudrup a headache over what to do with Michu, who started playing behind the in-form Luke Moore last time out.
"It's one possibility that Luke will keep his place, but I have two or three possibilities and that's a positive," Laudrup added.
"Leon is back in the squad, Ki (Sung-Yueng) and Jonathan (de Guzman) did well last time and Michu can play in midfield or up front.
"Angel is back but Dwight (Tiendalli) did well last time, so I have three or four decisions to make."
