SAINTS are already due to play just 10 times before the winter World Cup break in November will see the Premier League schedule paused until Boxing Day.

The final fixture ahead of the unusual six-week international break sees Saints visit Liverpool on Saturday, 12 November (3PM).

The Merseyside clash is the fifth away trip in that time, with four Premier League matches and an EFL Cup meeting due to be played at home.

Premier League clubs are waiting to learn if matchday eight’s fixtures are to go ahead, and if they do Saints will visit Aston Villa on Friday, September 16 (8PM).

Then, it would be a two-week international break before Saints welcome Everton to St Mary’s on Saturday, October 1 (3PM). Depending on the Premier League decision, this could be the next game on.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side then face the stern test of travelling to Manchester City on Saturday, October 8 (3PM), with West Ham visiting St Mary’s on Sunday, October 16 (2PM).

The Hammers’ visit is the start of a three-match week, with a trip to AFC Bournemouth on Wednesday, October 19 (7:30PM) and home match with Arsenal Sunday, October 23 (2PM).

That still leaves four matches to be played in three weeks, with the penultimate away match before the break seeing Saints face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday, October 29 (3PM).

A St Mary’s double header follows with Newcastle United visiting on Saturday, November 5 (3PM) and League One Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Cup midweek (TBC), before the Liverpool trip.

Should Saints defeat Wednesday in the cup, their first fixture after the World Cup break will be week commencing December 19, in the EFL Cup fourth round.

If they are knocked out, it will be with the Boxing Day clash versus Brighton & Hove Albion at St Mary’s.

But should the Premier League postpone the upcoming round of fixtures due to policing issues or otherwise, that will leave just nine matches inbetween now and the World Cup break.

As many as 24 Premier League games could be left to play inbetween Boxing Day and the final weekend of May to fit in the entire league schedule.

Saints currently sit 12th in the division with seven points from their opening six matches, including 2-1 comeback victories over both Leicester City and Chelsea.

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