As this season enters the final furlong, Saints are moving increasingly close to securing a sensational place in Europe.

Even if the worse happens and this campaign fizzles out a little, Ronald Koeman’s men will surely secure at worst seventh place.

Any lower is not only unthinkable but hugely unlikely.

With sixth place in the league all but certain of Europe by virtue of Chelsea winning the League Cup, seventh looks likely too with, potentially, Liverpool and Arsenal in opposite semi-finals of the FA Cup.

However, despite a recent wobble, Saints still have their sights set a little higher than this, and that is easily acheiveable.

Though they may have a lost a little ground of late, there is reason for optimism.

They shook off their struggles just in the nick of time to defeat Crystal Palace and, with that weight lifted, the recent break between games was the perfect chance to clear minds and refocus for the run-in.

They could hardly wish for a tougher game to get things started, away to Chelsea, but after that the chase in towards the final day sees a run of hugely winnable matches.

The key will be for Saints to get on a roll again, as they have twice before in this campaign.

If they can do that, and they should be able to given a fair wind with injuries, then they can accumulate a lot more points.

Though 70 points is on the optimistic side of life if you assume for a moment that most people will predict wins over Burnley, Hull, Sunderland, Leicester and Villa – with four of those at home – then you have a guaranteed finishing total of 64 points as a minimum.

That would mean only a likely variance of between three and eight points depending on how chipper you were feeling.

You are then looking at the other teams around Saints and who they might be able to catch. Arsenal are gone now and, with a good fixture list too, just look too far out of reach to consider.

Under normal circumstances you might have felt the same about Man United, but with their form still hit and miss and with Tottenham, Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea and Everton left to play, Saints could reasonably think a good run will see them finish above Louis van Gaal’s side.

Tottenham have a similar looking run to Saints while Liverpool, admittedly in great form, still have to take on Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea and have the FA Cup to juggle into their programme too.

It will be a big points haul for the top four and so Saints might just miss out to Arsenal and Liverpool, but can finish fifth ahead of United and Tottenham.

ADAM LEITCH PREDICTIONS:

Mar 15 v Chelsea (a) D.

As good as Saints are, the stats prove that for any team winning at Stamford Bridge is a hard task. Though Saints may lose ground in the table with just a point, in the context of the season it will prove to be a great one.

Mar 21 v Burnley (h) W.

We know Saints will have to get over their difficulties in breaking down sides who come to St Mary’s and defend in numbers. They will have too much for Burnley and will duly do exactly that.

Apr 4 v Everton (a) D.

A deceptively tough game. Everton are struggling a little this season but still have quality in their side and at home are no pushovers.

Apr 11 v Hull (h) W.

Like the Burnley game, Saints will have to overcome a stubborn defence – but have the firepower to do so.

Apr 18 v Stoke (a) W.

You know what to expect from a game at Stoke but these kind of tests are the games Saints have thrived on. They have beaten Stoke twice already this season, including at the Britannia Stadium, and can do it again.

Apr 25 v Tottenham (h) D.

This could be a crunch game, and is sure to be an incredible atmosphere at St Mary’s with the return of Mauricio Pochettino. These types of matches so often fail to live up the hype and a stalemate is quite possible.

May 2 v Sunderland (a) W.

The pressure might well be on Saints by this stage, but Sunderland won’t be able to match the quality of the visitors.

May 9 v Leicester (a) W.

By this point in the season Leicester might well be on their last legs in the top flight. That obviously wouldn’t make this an easy fixture but Saints have the mental strength to cope with such tests.

May 16 v Aston Villa (h) W.

The big St Mary’s send off can surely only have one result to set up the final day showdown.

May 24 v Man City (a) L.

It’s hard to know whether Manchester City will have anything left to play for, but they will want to sign off with a win and if they really fancy it then it’s such a tough place to get anything.

I have Saints to finish on 70 points in fifth place