Former Sky Sports commentator Richard Keys believes Southampton will fail in their bid to survive relegation this season.
The Saints have been in the Premier League since earning promotion in the 2011-12 season. After 11 years in the top-flight, they now face the risk of dropping down to the EFL Championship.
With 14 games left to play in the season, Southampton sit at the bottom of the table with just 18 points. They are currently four points adrift of the safe zone.
A win against fellow relegation-battlers Leeds United at the weekend would have been a huge boost to the club’s hopes of staying up. However, a 1-0 loss handed another blow to the Hampshire outfit.
In a damning verdict, Keys has now tipped Ruben Selles’ side to be one of the three teams to suffer relegation this season. The BeIN Sports presenter feels AFC Bournemouth will join the Saints, while the likes of Leeds and Everton continue their fight to stay up.
"“It’s beginning to look like Saints and Bournemouth are going – so it’s one from the rest down there”, Keys wrote in his personal blog."
Southampton sent positive message by Dean Hammond
While Keys does not see a way back for Southampton, former Saints captain Dean Hammond wants the club to stay positive. He is optimistic that the team can bounce back with a win against Leicester City this weekend.
"“The pressure is on Leicester”, Hammond said.“Southampton, if they can play with that intensity, play with that confidence and that composure in possession and create a few more chances, commit a few more bodies forward, then they’ll be able to cause Leicester some problems.”“A big game, but a game that Southampton can win, they definitely can.”"
It now remains to be seen how Selles and Co. will react to their defeat to Leeds when they return to action in the Premier League against Leicester on Saturday, 4th March.