Seven-time Premier League winner gives worrying relegation prediction for the Saints

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·25 October 2024

Seven-time Premier League winner gives worrying relegation prediction for the Saints

The previous 2023/24 Premier League season table had a surprising fact that all the three promoted sides were relegated back to the Championship. Burnley, Luton Town and Sheffield United entered the season on a high note following their promotion but were left visibly disappointed as they couldn't avoid relegation from the English top flight.

This season, Championship winners Leicester City, Kieran McKenna's Ipswich Town and Russell Martin's playoff-winners Southampton are the three sides who have returned to the Premier League. While Leicester City have picked up a good momentum by winning two consecutive matches, Ipswich Town and Southampton have faced consecutive defeats in the previous two matchdays.

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Seven-time Premier League winner gives worrying relegation prediction for the Saints

Moreover, Southampton only managed to take a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town and recently gave away a two-goal lead to face another comeback 3-2 defeat against Leicester City. Talking about the teams that could get relegated this season, Seven-time Premier League winner Roy Keane named Southampton and Ipswich Town, saying,

"You fear for Southampton and Ipswich. Even when they’re struggling, obviously that energy at the first few games, that looks to be going. And do you know what you find out as well, obviously, they look physically, they seem to get smaller. You know when the defeats are getting at them every week."- Roy Keane

Keane highlighted that back-to-back defeats in consecutive matchdays have given a massive blow to Southampton's momentum, who have often concede multiple goals within a few minutes. This has been the case against Bournemouth, Arsenal and Leicester City, where Russell Martin's side haven't maintained their defensive solidity during these key moments of the match.

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The next league fixture is against Manchester City, and the Saints need to show a better defensive performance otherwise their goal-difference may increase further. While a win is highly unlikely against Pep Guardiola's side, it remains to be seen whether Southampton can take a good result from this match.