SAINTS’ latest resurgence has allowed them to set their sights on usurping West Bromwich Albion above them and breaking into the top eight once more.

It’s no easy task with Saints facing five of the current top six in their final eight games of the season.

But Claude Puel’s men took one step towards catching the Baggies and their fourth successive top eight finish by winning 1-0 at The Hawthorns.

Now, with confidence high after four wins in seven games, Saints fly in to the final straight of the campaign with momentum building.

The statistics dictate that Saints must record their joint second best Premier League finish if they are to secure another lofty spot.

In the 24-year Premier League era 55 points is on average enough to secure eighth place.

Based on the numbers alone, they must collect 15 points from their final eight games of the season.

However, having beaten current eighth-place incumbent West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, Saints are now just four points off the Baggies with two games in hand.

With excitement and momentum building there is now hope that Saints can once again produce an impressive run to the finish line.

Here, the Daily Echo dissects and predicts the outcome of the matches Saints face as they take aim for a grandstand finish.

Saturday, April 15

Manchester City

St Mary’s

Prediction: 1-1 D

City’s defeat to Chelsea spelt the end of their Premier League title dreams for this season.

Yet, they are still embroiled in a close run race to secure a Champions League spot.

This game will be vital for Pep Guardiola’s side to keep the pace in the top four.

However, while their quality is never in doubt, they've struggled for consistency, especially with Claudio Bravo in goal.

The Chilean came back into the side in the 3-1 win over Hull and allowed a weak effort from visiting centre-back Andrea Ranocchia to go straight through him.

The last seven shots on target the former Barcelona custodian has had to deal with have resulted in goals, so if Saints can create and get a shot away the odds are they’ll score.

Still, City have one of the best away records in the Premier League, having won ten of their 16 games on the road.

Tuesday, April 25

Chelsea

Stamford Bridge

Prediction 2-0 L

Antonio Conte’s champions-elect showed they weren’t immortal as they lost to Crystal Palace 2-1 at Stamford Bridge last week.

However, after beating Manchester City in the aftermath of the surprise loss, they are unlikely to let any more slip ups happen, as they edge towards the Premier League title. 

A repeat of last season’s wonderful 3-1 victory at the Bridge would be a massive shock, as the Blues grind their way to the title.

Saturday, April 29

Hull

St Mary’s

Prediction 3-0 W

The Tigers have been magnificent at home during Marco Silva’s reign, having gone unbeaten with five wins and a draw.

But on their travels they are seriously struggling, with just one win on the road all season. That came all the way back in August against fellow strugglers Swansea.

Hull will likely come to St Mary’s still deep in a relegation scrap, so will have plenty of motivation.

However, Saints will be out for revenge after that disappointing loss they suffered at the KCOM Stadium earlier this season, when Charlie Austin’s opener was cancelled out in a second-half collapse.

Claude Puel’s men should have way too much quality for Hull.

Sunday, May 7

Liverpool

Anfield

Prediction 0-1 W

Jurgen Klopp’s side are able to beat fellow top six rivals in style, but are just terrible at breaking down and seeing off opponents in places further down the top-flight than them.

And without former St Mary’s man Sadio Mane, who is out for the season with a knee injury he suffered in the 3-1 win over Everton, their attack isn’t so menacing.

They still have Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, but Mane has been really key for them since his £34m move from the south coast. They had failed to win in any game without the Senegalese until the 2-1 victory at Stoke last time out.

Liverpool have a very good record at home, but their five defeats have all come against teams in the bottom half of the table.

They’ve lost to to Bournemouth, Hull, Leicester and their only home league loss came against lowly Swansea.

On top of that, Saints already know what it takes to win at Anfield, having defeated the Reds 1-0 in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg in January.

The St Mary’s outfit have not beaten  any of the current top six in the league, but the feeling is that they’ve owed a ‘big side’ a beating.

On balance, with Liverpool’s ineptitude in defeating lower opposition and the history between the two sides, this could be a good day for Saints away from home. And why not, their form on the road has been very good of late, winning three of the last four.

Saturday, May 13

Middlesbrough

The Riverside 

Prediction: 0-2 W

Boro could well be relegated by the time Saints travel to the Riverside. They are currently going down to the Championship with a whimper, having won just four games all season.

They still remain resolute at the back, but they are simply incapable of scoring - they’ve NOT netted in 16 matches this term.

Their 0-0 draw against Burnley was their seventh of the campaign.

It seems Aitor Karanka should have been sacked much earlier in the season, but it’s far too late now and this game should only go one way.

Sunday, May 21

Stoke

St Mary’s

Prediction: 2-0 W

As things stand Stoke are in complete freefall, having lost four games in a row and won only four of their past 18.

There were signs of life in the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool, with Xherdan Shaqiri a bright spark on his return from injury.

But the Potters have seemingly just downed tools completely, despite the fact they could be dragged into a relegation battle - although they are still eight points off.

At this stage who knows what position Mark Hughes’ side will be in come May. This could be a game they are fighting for their lives in.

But, Saints will also be keen to sign off the season in style once more, having beaten Crystal Palace 4-1 in last season’s finale and should have too much quality for Stoke.

DATE TBC

Arsenal

St Mary’s 

Prediction: 1-1 D

Arsenal looked like they may have started to recover from their usual mid-season collapse, where they lurch from one crisis to another.

But they failed last night to follow up a 3-0 win over West Ham last week, losing 3-0 to strugglers Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The “Wenger Out” banners will likely remain unfurled by the time the Gunners arrive at St Mary's and, if their sorry form continues, a Champions League spot might be out of reach.

With the futures of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez still in limbo as well as Arsene Wenger’s, there is a lot of discomfort at the Emirates currently.

Despite their woes, they usually do start picking up again and charge back into the higher reaches of the league, even if it doesn't look like happening currently.

DATE TBC

Manchester United

St Mary’s

Prediction: 0-1 L

United are unbeaten in the Premier League since October, when they lost to soon to be champions Chelsea.

Despite that they haven’t lit up the top-flight this term particularly, with only Zlatan Ibrahimovic shining bright.

The Swede was Saints’ tormentor in the EFL Cup final at Wembley, when he struck home a late winner.

It would come as little surprise again if Saints were able to produce a good performance, with United some how getting the win.

It all depends, though, because, with a Champions League spot far from guaranteed, Jose Mourinho’s side may well be more preoccupied with their Europa League campaign by the time they come to St Mary’s in May, with the winner of that competition qualifying for Europe’s elite tournament.

Totals Points from the final eight games: 14

End Premier League points total: 54