Southampton ended their 2025/26 Championship journey in disgrace.
At one stage last campaign, the Saints were the second tier's darlings, the feel-good story everyone was latching onto for comfort, as Tonda Eckert turned the South Coast side into playoff gems, as opposed to lower table fodder.
Unfortunately, it came to light that Eckert had used spying tactics to try to gain advantages throughout the season, when Southampton were in the midst of their playoff games with Middlesbrough.
They even attempted to spy on a Boro training session in the build-up to the nail-biting first leg, resulting in the Saints being chucked out of the playoffs in an unprecedented move.
Southampton have since licked their wounds and will be aiming to bounce back in style next season, with the opening five fixtures of the campaign giving them a great chance to start afresh with confidence.
Southampton's fixture schedule has been revealed
It doesn't feel that long ago since Southampton were originally embroiled in this scandal.
Football is a fast-paced sport that waits for nobody, at the end of the day, and it isn't long until Southampton fans will be able to watch their beloved team again in the Championship.
Southampton's first encounter sees them travel to Watford, in a game that will be televised on Sky Sports, as is the way of the modern game.
A look at our first five @SkyBetChamp fixtures 📆 pic.twitter.com/QH64tzMqrL
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) June 26, 2026
No doubt, the TV build-up will focus on the Saints' spying scandal, but Eckert and Co. stand a great chance of an opening day win, when fixating solely on the on-pitch action, having gone their last six contests against the Hornets in all competitions without tasting defeat.
Other standout clashes from their opening batch of games is a trip to newly promoted Lincoln City at the start of September, while all eyes will be on St. Mary's at the very end of November, as Middlesbrough come to the South Coast, hungry for some Spygate-related revenge.
Southampton supporters will be optimistic that their heavily scrutinised side can race out of the gates and pick up some convincing wins, but their first home game against Stoke City will be a tricky encounter, based on recent head-to-head results.
They could struggle in their first home game...
While they haven't lost since 2022 when facing Watford, Southampton haven't actually beaten Stoke - their second matchday opponents - on their own turf in league action since 2014.
In October of that year, Sadio Mane would settle the contest in a 1-0 win for the Saints, when both the South Coast team and the Potters were in the Premier League.
Since then, minus a 3-2 win in the League Cup at St. Mary's in 2024, with James Bree bagging a late winner, it has been four league home games on the spin without victory falling into their lap against their troublesome Staffordshire foes.
Last campaign, Stoke played the Saints at the best possible time, as Will Still struggled to settle into the hot seat, culminating in Mark Robins and Co. picking up a slim 2-1 win.
Eckert's men will be looking to put this surprising jinx to bed this coming August, as Southampton hopefully overcomes their bogey opponent.
Southampton fans will be buzzing for this showdown, despite past results, as it's the first time they'll be able to cheer on their troops at St. Mary's, with the 46-game marathon edging ever closer to kicking off.
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