With the exception of a last-gasp 2-1 win over Wrexham on the opening weekend, Saints have failed to beat any of the current top eight clubs.

Even expanding the scope to 11th-placed Bristol City reveals just one additional win – the recent 1-0 victory over Watford at St Mary's.

Southampton's record against the top half is a major reason they sit four points adrift of the play-off places after 35 matches.

Southampton's opened weekend win over Wrexham remains their only victory against a top six club. (Image: Stuart Martin)

A rather favourable set of fixtures has seen Tonda Eckert's charges earn 20 points from their last eight games - a total beaten by no other team in the division.

That surge has reignited hopes of a Premier League return, but they will need to dig deeper to close the gap on sixth-placed Wrexham.

Thankfully, six of their 11 remaining games are against teams currently sitting in the top half of the Championship table.

Saints have only outperformed the Welsh club across an 11-game stretch on just four occasions this season, most recently between...