Southampton have tried to get back into the automatic promotion push, but two recent defeats have ended that, and it's now time for them to focus on the playoffs. But before they get to those games, two remain in the league, and on Saturday afternoon they play the first of those, at home to Stoke, a side who are still in a little trouble near the bottom of the table.
Southampton Form GuideIt's been a good push to get anywhere neat by Southampton, and they were given hope by the fact that the top three have all been struggling. But six points back with two to play, it's as good as over for them. They've lost two coming into this one, and will want to use the final two games to get back on track before the playoffs.
They played in midweek, and suffered a huge defeat against Leicester, the current league leaders. Southampton lost that game 5-0, and that came on the back of a 2-1 loss at Cardiff on Saturday last week, a game they lost in the final minute of injury time. They won three in a row before that, and it's that kind of form they need to get back to as soon as possible.
Stoke City Form GuideStoke have 50 points on the board, meaning they are four ahead of Birmingham in the relegation zone. That's not mathematically safe, but I do think they have enough on the board already, and shouldn't need to worry going into the final two games of the season.
They aided their position with a win last weekend, Stoke won 3-0 at home to Plymouth, another side who are in the relegation scrap down there with them, so it was a big three points to boost their own chances, and also harm the chances of a rival. Before that, they took a point in a 1-1 away tie at Sheffield Wednesday, another team near the bottom.
Match PredictionStoke need a little more to be sure, but I think they are safe with what they have now, and I don't think they will get anything in this one. A dip has come for Southampton, but they've had excuses, I think this game gives them the chance to bounce back in style, just in time for the playoffs.
