Football fans up and down the country can rejoice as the 2019/20 Premier League fixture list is now out.
It means that despite the long break from any actual football, the clubs and fans can start preparing for the opening day of the season. Get your diaries out, guys, those away days need booking up.
Indeed, Southampton are probably one of the teams who will be looking forward to its beginning, after a solid end to the season under Ralph Hasenhüttl will have left the fans feeling optimistic. Clearly, it's been difficult for the fans over the past few years but a new regime is now in place, though it wouldn't be fair to suggest that all the worries are gone.
It's hard to put the last few seasons behind the Saints, such has been their malaise of late. Yes, there are many reasons to be excited but caution must be applied here.
So, let's have a look at some of the more concerning fixtures ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.
Southampton vs Sheffield United
Now, this is perhaps a rather pessimistic choice. However, with league finishes of 16th and 17th in the last two seasons, it's somewhat understandable.
Southampton will finish the 2019/20 season at home to newly-promoted Sheffield United.
Indeed, this is not a fixture that alone strikes fear in the hearts of Saints fans. But it's one that could have so much significance in the race to avoid relegation. Frankly, it would not be at all surprising to see the two clubs fighting for their lives come the last game of the season.
With Southampton playing Arsenal, Watford, Manchester City, Everton and Manchester United consecutive before the final three games of the season, they could well be desperate for a win come the final game.
The history in this one favours Sheffield United, who have won 25 of their meetings, as opposed to Southampton's 16.
Manchester City vs Southampton
This is a fixture that will terrify most football fans out there
However, for Southampton, the game arrives during a particularly horrific looking spell of fixtures. Southampton travel to City on the 2nd of November, during a run of eight games that sees them play Tottenham, Chelsea, Wolves, Leicester, City, Everton, Arsenal and Watford consecutively. Should Southampton fail to win a single one of those games, it would surprise few.
Perhaps things look even worse when noted that Southampton have won just one of the last 12 meetings between the two, a 4-2 victory at home in 2016. They shipped nine goals against City last season, with a goal difference of -7 so it certainly doesn't make for pretty reading.
It's one Saints fans will not look forward to, especially given the number of difficult games surrounding it.
Southampton fans, what do you make of the fixture list? Are there any other noteworthy nightmare games? Comment below...