Take at look at Southampton’s next five fixtures and how they compare to their automatic promotion rivals.
Southampton‘s incredible 25-game unbeaten run came to an end last month at the hands of Bristol City at Ashton Gate.
Russell Martin‘s side then suffered three defeats in four and it left their hopes of going up in the top two in real jeopardy.
They have, however, returned to winning ways of late, having picked up back-to-back victories against Birmingham City and Sunderland.
They now reside six points adrift of Leeds United in second and with a game in hand, so automatic promotion is certainly a plausible aim.
With that said, here’s a look at Southampton’s next five fixtures and how they match up against their rivals at the top of the Championship.
Southampton fixtures
Middlesbrough (H) – March 29
After the international break, Southampton play host to Middlesbrough at St Mary’s.
Boro have been in fine form of late and are making a late run for the play-offs. Michael Carrick’s side have picked up three wins on the trot and sit five points from the top six, so Saints will be up against a side with great momentum.
League position: 9th.
Current form: Three wins and two defeats.
Previous meeting: Middlesbrough 2-1 Southampton – 23 September, 2023.
Ipswich Town (A) – April 1
Just three days after the clash against Middlesbrough, Southampton resume Championship action away at promotion rivals Ipswich Town.
Town have only lost one game all season at Portman Road, so the South Coasters will certainly be the underdogs.
Kieran McKenna’s side currently sit five points ahead of Southampton, though, they’ve played a game more.
This will be a real opportunity for Saints to close the gap.
League position: 3rd.
Current form: Four wins and one defeat.
Previous meeting: Southampton 0-1 Ipswich Town – 19 September, 2023.
Blackburn Rovers (A) – April 6
Southampton are back on the road five days after travelling to Ipswich, as they face Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.
Rovers have struggled this season and find themselves in a battle to survive, so Saints have to be aiming for nothing less than three points in this one.
League position: 18th.
Current form: Four draws and one defeat.
Previous meeting: Southampton 4-0 Blackburn Rovers – 16 December, 2023.
Coventry City (H) – April 9
The relentless nature of the Championship continues. Three days after their Lancashire visit, Southampton welcome Coventry City to the south coast.
Mark Robins has The Sky Blues in a race for the play-offs, as his side lie just one point adrift from sixth-placed Norwich City.
It’ll be a tough battle for the hosts.
League position: 8th.
Current form: Three wins and two defeats.
Previous meeting: Coventry City 1-1 Southampton – 13 December, 2023
Watford (H) – April 13
Southampton’s second successive home fixture comes against Watford, who are not in a relegation battle or a fight for the play-offs.
With little to play for, it appears a good time to play The Hornets and Saints have to seize the opportunity in what will be one of their final matches at St Mary’s.
League position: 14th.
Current form: One win, one draw and three defeats.
Previous meeting: Watford 1-1 Southampton – 9 December 2023 (Championship)
Ipswich Town fixtures
Sheffield Wednesday (H) – March 16
Blackburn Rovers (A) – March 29
Southampton (H) – April 1
Norwich City (A) – April 6
Watford (H) – April 10
Current form: Four wins and one defeat.
Average opposition league position: 13th.
It’ll be fascinating to see how Ipswich Town respond to their dramatic late defeat at Cardiff City on the weekend.
The Tractor Boys conceded two stoppage-time goals to throw away a one-goal lead and it ended their six-game winning streak. Will that dent their confidence heading into the final nine games or will it galvanise the group?
They’ve got a promotion six-pointer against The Saints coming up.
Leeds United fixtures
Millwall (H) – March 17
Watford (A) – March 29
Hull City (H) – April 1
Coventry City (A) – April 6
Sunderland (H) – April 9
Current form: Four wins and one draw.
Average opposition league position: 11th.
Leeds United currently reside in second place and have been in sparkling form this year. The West Yorkshire club went on a nine-game winning streak before being held to a 1-1 draw at rivals Huddersfield Town.
Their upcoming fixtures are slightly less favourable than Ipswich’s, based on average league position, as they face two play-off hopefuls in Hull City and Coventry City.
Leicester City fixtures
Bristol City (A) – March 29
Norwich City (H) – April 1
Birmingham City (H) – April 6
Millwall (A) – April 9
Plymouth Argyle (A) – April 12
Current form: One win, one draw and three defeats.
Average opposition league position: 11th.
Enzo Maresca’s Leicester City lead the way in the Championship but have endured a blip in recent weeks which has seen their lead at the top cut to three points.
Many were anticipating the East Midlanders to run away with it and finish well clear of the chasing pack but they’ve been dragged right back into it.
It’ll be a defining upcoming five fixtures for Leicester, as they look to return to winning ways.
Our verdict
Southampton have the toughest run of fixtures heading into the business end of the campaign but that could be viewed in one of two ways.
With Leicester, Leeds and Ipswich all still to play, they could close the gap on the aforementioned trio and propel themselves into the top two.
Or, should they drop points in those games, their promotion rivals would move well clear and probably out of sight.
Ipswich have the most favourable next five games on paper, though, having suffered defeat to Cardiff last time out, will that wobble them?
Leeds are the most in-form team in the division and have the wind in their sails, so you wouldn’t write them off potentially winning the title.
The table-toppers Leicester have looked leggy and tired, so perhaps the international break is coming at a good time for them.
So many factors play into this thrilling promotion race and we simply can’t call it.