Southampton are going through a difficult spell of form at the moment and one EFL pundit believes that the Saints are the side in the most trouble heading into the final 11 games of the Championship season.
Russell Martin’s men had been on a 25-game unbeaten streak in England’s second tier up until a 3-1 loss at Ashton Gate against Bristol City in mid-February. However, since that disappointing defeat to the Robins, Southampton have suffered another three defeats in all competitions, bringing their total tally to four losses in six games.
The Saints have also lost footing in the race for the automatic promotion places and now sit five points behind second-place Ipswich Town who are on a five-match winning streak. Nevertheless, the club on the south coast did manage to get back to winning ways on Saturday but the three points came in the shape of a narrow 4-3 victory against a ten-man Birmingham City.
Running into a new week like @jackstephens_18 🏃♂️💨
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) March 4, 2024
Furthermore, Martin’s men have the most difficult run in from now until May, still having to face Sunderland, Leicester City, Middlesbrough, Ipswich, Coventry City and Leeds United which could make a top-two finish really difficult.
Former West Bromwich Albion and Barnsley striker Don Goodman believes that Southampton are the side to worry about the most in the promotion race given their recent form. Speaking to West Brom News about the top six, the pundit said:
“As for Leicester, they’ve had a bad run and that’s raised eyebrows, but to be honest with you, you need lady luck on your side to beat Leicester. So I also don’t worry for Leicester.
“I still think they’ll win the league; Leeds United are flying; Southampton are probably the ones you worry the most about. So will West Brom be the underdogs? Probably. Does it mean they can’t win the play-offs? Absolutely not.”
Writer’s View
Southampton certainly have the most difficult fixtures of any side in the top four from now until the end of the campaign. However, Martin’s side may be able to use this to their advantage, provided they put another winning run together.
The Saints’ destiny is in their own hands. If they beat the likes of Leicester, Ipswich and Leeds, it puts them in a really strong position to gain automatic promotion. The race for the top two is only just heating up.
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