Avoiding relegation as a recently promoted Premier League side is a significant task, and manager Russell Martin knows that he needs good results consistently to stay at Southampton in the Premier League. The beginning of the league season has been far from great for the Saints, who are nineteenth in the Premier League table with only one point from seven matches.
As compared to other promoted teams such as Leicester City who recently took their first win against Bournemouth, and Ipswich Town who managed to remain unbeaten in four consecutive matches, Southampton are yet to find a balanced lineup and consistency in the Premier League. Hence this international break is very significant for the Saints to reflect on their mistakes and improve from their learnings for the remainder of the season.
Moreover, a managerial change could be on the cards if Southampton couldn't manage to achieve good results in the upcoming matches, with former Chelsea manager Graham Potter tipped to replace Russell Martin at the St. Mary's Stadium. Therefore, on that note, here are the three matches which could lead the Southampton board to make a huge managerial decision.
3 matches that could lead Southampton to make a huge managerial decision
Leicester City
Under new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, Leicester City returned to the Premier League as the 2023/24 Championship winners. Further Leicester City displayed their quality in the opening Premier League matchday by securing a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspurs.
Leicester City followed that with important draws with Crystal Palace and Everton. Steve Cooper's side played a thrilling match with Arsenal as well, but conceded twice in the last-minute to face a 4-2 away defeat.
Recently, Leicester City showed their defensive solidity and Facundo Buounoanette's brilliant finish rewarded them with a first 1-0 league win against Bournemouth in the Premier League. Led by former Premier League golden-boot winner Jamie Vardy, Leicester City are a quality side with a great balance between young talents and squad depth and thus, the home fixture at the St. Mary's Stadium will be a huge match for Russell Martin's side.