SAINTS have been installed as one of the four favourites to finish in a Champions League place.

Ronald Koeman’s men have opened up a barely believable seven-point gap over fifth-placed Swansea with more than a quarter of the 2014/15 season gone.

As a result, Saints – who have been second since beating Stoke at St Mary’s on October 25 – have seen their odds on a top four finish slashed from 11/4 to 2/1 by bookies Boylesports.

Saints can now be backed at 66/1 from 80/1 to win the title outright following their 2-0 win over Leicester City - their eighth win in their last nine league games.

Saints are rated a better bet to win the title than a Liverpool squad containing Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert, who are 150/1 outsiders.

Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham are rated 500/1 to win the title after losing at home to Stoke today. To win title: Chelsea 1/6, Man City 11/2, Arsenal 40/1, Man Utd 50/1, SAINTS 66/1, Liverpool 150/1, Everton 500/1, Tottenham 500/1.

Top 4 Finish: Man City 1/50, Arsenal 2/5, Man United 8/15, SAINTS 2/1, Liverpool 9/4, Tottenham 8/1, Everton 9/1, Swansea 40/1, West Ham 50/1 BAR.