Southampton midfielder Steven Davis expects an exciting match today against Crystal Palace.

Saints have not conceded a goal in their last five league meetings with Palace, winning all of those games, but Davis admits Selhurst Park is always a tough place to go.

"I think it's always a tough place to go," Davis told reporters ahead of the game on Boxing Day. "They get good backing from the fans and it's always quite a lively encounter.

"You know it's going to be competitive so it's a game if you win you feel you've had to work hard for it and I'm sure this one will be no different.

"Momentum is massive in football, and if you can put together a run of results then confidence starts to build and the game almost becomes a little bit easier.

"It's important. We'll take confidence from the last performance against Everton into Crystal Palace and show the same effort and desire we did and hopefully pick up another result."