THERE are just under two months left of the Championship season and with four teams still battling it out for the two automatic promotion spots - it is promising to be a thrilling ending.
Russell Martin's Saints are still in with a massive chance to achieve their ultimate goal and with two dramatic wins in recent games, the fate is still in Southampton's hands.
Ryan Fraser and Kyle Walker-Peters are expected to return following the upcoming international break to give them a welcome boost entering the crucial final stretch.
Here we look at the run-in for the top four sides and attempt to predict how it will play out over the next seven weeks...
Top Four as it stands
1. Leicester City - P:37 GD:41 PTS:82
2. Leeds United - P:37 GD:40 PTS:79
3. Ipswich Town - P:37 GD:25 PTS:78
4. Saints - P:36 GD:26 PTS:73
Saints, who recently had their match against Preston North End postponed due to the fire outside St Mary's, have a game to make up on their rivals.
A win in that game puts them right back in the mix for promotion and with matches still to come at Leicester, Leeds, and Ipswich, a lot can still happen in the final weeks of the season.
Saints run-in and predictions
March 29 - Middlesbrough (H) - W 2-1
April 1 - Ipswich Town (A) - D 2-2
April 6 - Blackburn (A) - W 2-1
April 9 - Coventry City (H) - W 1-0
April 13 - Watford (H) - W 3-0
April 16 - Preston (H) - W 3-1
April 20 - Cardiff City (A) - W 1-0
April 23 - Leicester City (A) - D 1-1
April 27 - Stoke City (H) - W 2-0
May 4 - Leeds United (A) - L 2-1
It looks likely that games against the three promotion rivals are going to prove pivotal in the final reckoning.
Draws at Leicester City and Ipswich Town will be good results in any other situation - meaning no slip-ups should be allowed against the rest of their opponents.
The trip to Leeds United on the final day of the season will be a big ask for Russell Martin's side with both teams likely needing a result to ensure promotion.
Leicester City run-in and predictions
March 29 - Bristol City (A) - W 1-0
April 1 - Norwich City (H) - D 1-1
April 6 - Birmingham City (H) - W 3-1
April 9 - Millwall (A) - W 2-0
April 13 - Plymouth Argyle (A) - W 2-1
April 20 - West Brom (H) - D 2-2
April 23 - Saints (H) - D 1-1
April 27 - Preston (A) - W 1-0
May 4 - Blackburn (H) - W 3-0
The Foxes will feel confident they have what it takes in their last nine matches to be lifting the Championship trophy in May.
Draws against Norwich, West Brom, and Saints will not be too detrimental to their promotion hopes.
Wins against Preston and Blackburn in their final two games mean they could go up to the top flight as champions.
Leeds United run-in and predictions
March 17 - Millwall (H) - W 2-0
March 29 - Watford (A) - D 1-1
April 1 - Hull City (H) - W 3-2
April 6 - Coventry (A) - L 2-1
April 9 - Sunderland (H) - W 3-1
April 13 - Blackburn (H) - W 2-0
April 20 - Middlesbrough (A) - D 1-1
April 27 - QPR (A) - W 1-0
May 4 - Saints (H) - W 2-1
If Leeds can go into their final game against Saints knowing a draw will be enough to earn promotion - they may take that.
Daniel Farke's men are currently the most in-form out of all their promotion rivals and although that could change between now and the end of the season, they will fancy their chances.
Hull, Coventry, Watford, and Middlesbrough could all test the Yorkshire club and they will be fearing Saints on that last day just as much as Saints will be fearing them.
Ipswich Town run-in and predictions
March 16 - Sheffield Wednesday (H) - W 3-1
March 29 - Blackburn (A) - W 2-1
April 1 - Saints (H) - D 2-2
April 6 - Norwich City (A) - L 2-1
April 10 - Watford (H) - W 2-0
April 13 - Middlesbrough (H) - W 2-1
April 20 - Coventry (A) - D 1-1
April 27 - Hull City (A) - D 2-2
May 4 - Huddersfield - W 3-1
Nobody expected Ipswich to be in this situation going into the season back in August but Kieran McKenna's side have been excellent.
If they can come through a tough week against Saints and then local rivals Norwich City with positive results in both - it could turn out to be a brilliant conclusion for the Tractor Boys.
We think they will come up just short, though, with the playoffs looking a likely outcome.
Final table prediction
1. Leicester City - P:46 GD:51 PTS:103
2. Leeds United - P:46 GD:48 PTS:99
3. Saints - P:46 GD:36 PTS:96
4. Ipswich Town - P:46 GD:32 PTS:96
A lot can happen in the remaining period of the season and pressure can do funny things to all teams when it hits the business stage.
In this event, Leicester and Leeds would achieve the two automatic promotion spots. Missing out on the top two with 96 points would be harsh on both Saints and Ipswich.
A play-off spot won't be what Southampton want but a trip to Wembley and celebrating under the arch could be an even better way to get back to the Premier League.
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