SAINTS ALIVE!
‘PROMOTION RACE DYNAMIC HAS CHANGED AFTER SOUTHAMPTON CLOSED THE GAP ON TOP THREE’
THE dynamic of the Championship promotion race has changed, Southampton boss Russell Martin has claimed, with the top four now separated by just five points ahead of a nail-biting final few weeks, writes Jordan
Blackwell.
The Saints breezed past Preston 3-0 on Tuesday night and are now just four points behind Leicester City in second, having played the same number of matches.
They are three and five points behind Leeds and leaders Ipswich respectively, but with a game in hand on both.
Just over a week ago, Southampton were 13 points off top spot and being written off in the race for automatic promotion.
But after the top three all slipped up twice last week, the Saints took advantage, their three-game winning run bringing them right back into contention.
It means that, no matter what happens this weekend, City are in for a high-pressure showdown with Southampton next Tuesday.
The Saints also face Leeds on the last day, a game that could now be a promotion decider.
“It has been a big week for us,” Saints manager Martin said.
“It has changed the dynamic. We were written off some time ago but the players have stuck at it and been resilient.
“We have the opportunity to take the points off teams around us but we have to take care of the next one against Cardiff. If we don’t then the others become a bit pointless.”
However, Southampton’s form does not change the picture for City.
Promotion remains in their hands, with three wins from their final four matches guaranteed to earn them a place in the Premier League.
Enzo Maresca’s side could, in fact, be promoted against Southampton.
If they beat West Brom on Saturday and then Leeds lose to in-form Middlesbrough on Monday night, victory over the Saints would secure a toptwo finish for City.