JUST six matches remain for Saints before the Premier League table takes up its final shape and determines what next season’s campaign will look like.
A 3-3 draw at league-leaders Arsenal is a good point but the manner in which it came – two late Gunners goals – was a blow.
It could be a costly two points dropped for Ruben Selles’s charges but, equally, the spirit and fight shown gives confidence to the struggling group.
They enjoyed a moment with their supporters at full-time in north London, as a campaign that was felt to be already over was blown back open.
READ MORE: The three big things to take away from Southampton's draw at Arsenal
Can they follow it up with important points in the remaining six matches? We have assessed the run-in and given our predictions on the results…
Saints vs AFC Bournemouth – Thursday, April 27.
This is quite simply a must-win and any result other than three points will likely sap away any belief that has bene restored at Emirates Stadium.
Che Adams scored the winner in a 1-0 win at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium back in October, under former manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Gary O’Neil’s side have begun to peel away from the relegation battle themselves and likely only need a few points more to guarantee survival.
Saints have often lost these games by the odd goal all season but we have a feeling they will just about get the job done this time and keep alive their hopes.
Prediction: 1-0.
Points total: 27.
Newcastle United vs Saints – Sunday, April 30.
Newcastle United are a formidable team to visit and Saints have suffered defeat there already this season in the EFL Cup semi-final.
Eddie Howe’s side have three wins from three against Saints this campaign, including the St Mary’s hammering in November which ended the four-year Hasenhuttl era.
The Magpies have world-class players like Kieran Trippier, and record-signing Alexander Isak will want to add to his eight goals in all competitions in this one.
A trip to St James’ Park is likely too much for this Saints team and we think Newcastle will end up as relatively comfortable winners.
Prediction: 2-0
Points total: 27.
Nottingham Forest vs Saints – Monday, May 8.
This will be another must-win for Selles’s charges with Forest currently the team in 19th and only three points ahead of Saints.
Saints probably have to win three games from their final six in order to survive and not beating Forest would make that incredibly difficult.
Forest have not won in the league since February and have been beaten eight times since then – with Brighton and Brentford in their next two they could be bottom by this meeting.
But an emotion-charged bank holiday Monday night at the County Ground could produce electricity and goals – the predicted 2-2 draw would feel like a defeat for both teams.
Prediction: 2-2.
Points total: 28.
Saints vs Fulham – Saturday, May 13.
Saints have actually got a pretty decent home record versus Fulham in recent history – although it is ultimately meaningless – with no defeats in nine and two-goal wins in each of the last three.
Marco Silva’s Cottagers could be bolstered by the return of Aleksandr Mitrovic, whose first game back from an eight-game ban is conveniently set to be at St Mary’s.
You can bank on him to score – but their season has been safe for months and, although they have beaten Everton and Leeds United last times out, a result will mean more to Saints.
We’re tipping Saints to get what could be an absolutely enormous result here and keep hopes alive of a Premier League berth next campaign.
Prediction: 2-1
Points total: 31.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Saints – Sunday, May 21.
Saints supporters always look forward to these summer trips to Brighton, although it is not the perfect away day given the out-of-town location of the Amex Stadium.
Brighton hammered Saints on Boxing Day but we’re looking more back to the 2-2 draw at the end of last campaign for inspiration when James Ward-Prowse scored a sensational double.
Roberto De Zerbi has improved the Seagulls even more since he replaced Graham Potter and they could still be in with a strong shout of European qualification at this point.
We hope the pressure of that home expectation is enough to see the points shared here, on the penultimate game of the Premier League season.
Prediction: 1-1
Points total: 32.
Saints vs Liverpool – Sunday, May 28.
It could be that Saints go into the final day of the league season needing a result to stand a chance – unfortunately, they are set to host Liverpool.
The Reds are hotting up nicely to stage a late push into the Champions League or Europa League spots despite a relatively difficult season.
Jurgen Klopp will likely have his team see out a fifth successive victory over Saints – one that would be Liverpool’s 11th win in 12 matches since 2017.
Prediction: 1-2
Points total: 32.
Verdict
A final points total of 32, even after some pretty credible results for Saints in this final six run-in, is surely likely to see the side fall just short.
It means only one of Leicester City and Everton need to accumulate five points to cut Saints adrift, unless Leeds United post a maximum of three or fewer and West Ham United only one or fewer.
Saints probably have to beat all of Bournemouth, Forest and Fulham to stand a chance but the lowest number of points to guarantee survival was 29 in 2020.
On average the number of points to guarantee survival in the league’s current format has been around 36, while the most ever required was 43 in 2003.
Give us your predictions and whether you think it will be enough to survive in the comments section below...
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