David Prutton has issued his honest verdict on whether Southampton can achieve automatic promotion from the Championship.
Leeds United, Leicester City and Ipswich Town have all faltered in recent weeks which has allowed Russell Martin‘s side to close the gap on the top two.
After brushing aside Preston North End on Tuesday evening, Southampton moved within five points of league leaders Ipswich with a game in hand.
Still, though, some aren’t sure whether they’ll be able to surmount the gap with games running out and Prutton has now just revealed his prediction.
David Prutton issues honest Southampton prediction
Speaking on the Sky Sports Championship Predictions podcast, Prutton was pretty assertive in his Southampton prediction.
“They are (back in the automatic promotion race),” the former Nottingham Forest midfielder said.
“What was seemingly a very straightforward end to the season with regards to it being playoffs has now been blown apart with those weekend results.
“That quirk of the schedule, with regards to fixtures, and given the amount of games they are going to play before Ipswich get back into Championship action, could mean we have a different top two, a different complexion to it when they start playing again.”
Prutton continued: “I think I’m declaring them well and truly back in the shout for top two. Declared done.”
The Sky Sports pundit also predicted a 2-1 away win for Southampton this weekend in their trip to Cardiff City.
Southampton fixture scheduling will put pressure on Ipswich Town
As Prutton alluded to, the fixtures in the promotion race are a little all over the place.
Southampton play two games before Ipswich return to action on April 27, which could see them surpass Kieran McKenna’s team.
The South Coasters have the opportunity to apply massive pressure on Town and they must look to capitalise on the fixture scheduling.
They travel to Cardiff on Saturday before another way trip ensues against second-placed Leicester in what will be a promotion six-pointer.
Saints were dealt a bruising defeat in the reverse clash, so they’ll be eager to right those wrongs this time around.
A telling week awaits Southampton, who could yet find themselves at the summit of the Championship table if they continue their winning run.