Friday 30 October 2015 16:42, UK
Ronald Koeman hopes Bournemouth can survive in the Premier League so his Southampton side can build a rivalry against them.
With the club's traditional adversaries Portsmouth in League Two, Koeman is happy to describe the visit of Eddie Howe's team to St Mary's as a derby.
Just 31 miles separate St Mary's from Dean Court and Koeman has placed local bragging rights on the line.
Koeman told Southampton's official: "In my opinion it's a derby - but maybe not the biggest one, because there's not a lot of history between both clubs.
"I hope that they will stay in the Premier League so that we will get a few years in a row to play against each other.
"Normally, it makes it a little bit easier for the manager because they (the players) have that feeling of it being a derby.
"Everybody will have more attention to the game, and that makes it a little bit more special. You need that to be successful."
The sides met three times in 2010/11 when they were both in League One, with Southampton winning both games along with a League Cup tie.
Although they had their captain Jose Fonte in their side then, it has changed significantly otherwise and Graziano Pelle and Sadio Mane are among those who have impressed.
The pair have contributed 10 goals combined in the last seven matches but Koeman said Southampton's success lately is not just down to them.
He added: "I think not about one or two players. Of course they are important players because they are scoring goals.
"They are important, but the rest of the team gives them the chance to score and to be important (but) I am happy if they continue like this."
