AI predicts Southampton to finish behind Leicester in the Championship 25/26 season, which will excite many Saints fans, but will pull back some, too.
Recently, ex-Saints boss Nigel Adkins' Championship mention must have caught every fan's eyes and for apt reasons, given they hope Will Still to repeat his feat. And while the manager's contention has been old, he remains the last gaffer to help Southampton ace a direct promotion.
Well, for the purpose, it goes without saying that the upcoming Brighton friendly will have a major say in the Saints' season start. But while the fans look forward to that result to know of their season preparations, AI has its fate ready for the Saints.
That's because, though there's still a little less than 3 weeks for the season opener, AI has predicted its 3 promotion winners, which include Southampton.
As per Football League World, AI forecasts Will Still's Southampton side to go through a direct promotion, finishing second in the 2025/26 Championship season.
Championship prediction splits Saints fans in two halves
Honestly, achieving a promotion at the first time of asking would alone content a fair share of Southampton fans, who haven't yet recovered from the last traumatic campaign. And the fact that a top 2 finish sees them go through without a playoff hassle, hardly anything could be more asked for.
Further, considering that a direct promotion follows with them retaining prodigy Tyler Dibling, most Saints fans will buy into the idea of such a finish right at this moment itself.
But, intriguingly, there is another bunch of fans who hope for Southampton to push more. And to many's surprise, their concern sounds much deeper than the happiness of the remaining batch.
That's because, tipped to finish behind Leicester, it not only keeps the dream of a Championship title unfulfilled, but grows fears of the previous season's nightmarish repeat. If AI's prediction goes through, with Leicester claiming the throne and Southampton and Ipswich returning to the Top Flight, the fans see the same promotion-demotion cycle playing again.
Now, from a general perspective, it feels like the two sides of a coin. But one thing's certain, Southampton needs a promotion win, and that fans' demand remains unnegotiable still.