EX-Saints star Gordon Watson has admitted Nigel Pearson's men have been handed an "unfair advantage" in the race to avoid dropping into League One.

Watson is surprised that officials have allowed Saints' trip to West Brom to kick off more than two days after all the other penultimate Championship fixtures of the season.

He is also hoping that Sheffield United will visit St Mary's for the season finale on Sunday, May 4 with no chance of making the play-offs - if that's the case then the Blades could relegate their cross-city rivals Wednesday by losing at Saints!

Watson, a good friend of Saints boss Nigel Pearson after playing alongside him at Sheffield Wednesday a decade ago, said: "There's a few factors to consider for Monday.

"First, Saints will know exactly what they have to do - and that's a massive help.

"It's an unfair advantage kicking off knowing what you need to do, but we'll take it!

"I'm surprised the league have allowed that to happen.

"Saints will go to West Brom knowing it's still in their hands, whatever the results today."

Watson added: "I think Sheffield Wednesday are shot to pieces. I can't see them winning at Leicester, who will be desperate to end their home season with a win - especially as they have to go Stoke in their last game."

As a former Owls striker, Watson is fully aware of the situation that could well unfold at St Mary's next weekend with regards to Sheffield United sending Wednesday down.

In the same way that Pompey fans were delighted their team lost at West Brom on the final day of the 2004/05 season to help relegate Saints from the top flight, so a home win at St Mary's on May 4 could send Wednesday down.

"If Sheffield United came here knowing if they lost Wednesday would go down, the United fans would be cheering with the Saints fans," said Watson.