- Southampton made immediate return to the Premier League via play-offs
- Saints’ averaged 65.6% possession per game last term - the highest in Championship
- Recommended bet: Southampton to be relegated 

Southampton made sure they didn’t overstay their welcome in the Championship by winning the playoff final to make an immediate return to the Premier League. 

There have been some exciting arrivals at St Mary’s and Russell Martin looks like a promising manager, but the Premier League is a different beast to the Championship and the Saints may be in for a tough season. 

Last Season

Streaky is probably the best word to describe Southampton’s 2023-24 season. The Saints began the campaign by winning only three of their opening eight league matches before putting together a 24-game unbeaten run in the Championship. 

Their form soon tailed off though and Martin’s men had to settle for fourth and a place in the playoffs. However, they proved their quality by beating West Brom 3-1 on aggregate in the semis before landing a shock 1-0 victory over Leeds at Wembley. 

Manager

Former Norwich stalwart Martin made his managerial name at MK Dons, specifically when his side broke the British record for passes before a goal when stringing together 56 prior to Will Grigg’s finish against Gillingham. 

That goal, and the fact that only Manchester City and Barcelona had a higher average possession than the Dons in Europe in the 2020-21 season, really underlines how Martin sets his sides up. 

He then moved to Swansea where he led the club to 15th and then 10th in the Championship while also becoming the first manager to do the double over Cardiff in the 110-year history of the South Wales derby. 

The Saints had an average of 65.6 percent of the ball per game in the Championship last term and it will be interesting to see how Martin sets his side up in the Premier League, where his players will not be afforded the same time on the ball. 

Transfers 

Ben Brereton Diaz, who netted a respectable six goals in 14 games with relegated Sheffield United last term, is the standout arrival at St Mary’s, while the permanent signings of Flynn Downes and Taylor Harwood-Bellis should help Martin keep a settled side as both were vital as loanees in their promotion campaign. 

Yukinari Sugawara is an exciting winger while centre-backs Nathan Wood and Ronnie Edwards have bags of potential and returning hero Adam Lallana along with left-back Charlie Taylor can provide invaluable Premier League experience for a young squad. 

Lyanco, Duje Caleta-Car, Romain Perraud and Stuart Armstrong have left the club but Che Adams is perhaps the Saints’ most significant departure having netted 16 league goals last term. 

Strengths and weaknesses

Southampton’s biggest strength is undoubtedly how comfortable they are in possession, with the likes of Downes, Will Smallbone and Kyle Walker-Peters all suited by Martin’s style. 

That strength could soon turn into a weakness however, as the intensity of the Premier League could see them caught out at times, meaning Martin may have to be adaptable with his approach to games this term. 

Adam Armstrong netted 21 Championship goals last term - only being outscored by Blackburn’s Sammie Szmodics - and the Saints will be hoping he can carry that form into the new season. 

His goals, as well as Brereton Diaz’s, will be vital too as Southampton shipped 63 goals last term, the most of any side in the Championship top five, suggesting some heavy defeats may be on the cards on their Premier League return. 

Best outright bet

Southampton did brilliantly to make an immediate return to the Premier League, but another immediate return may be on the cards. 

Martin has never managed at this level and while his possession-based style thrives in the lower leagues, it may not be as effective against the best players in the world in a league where the intensity is unmatched across Europe. 

The Saints have made some smart signings, but their squad is arguably no stronger than when they went down two years ago and while key man Armstrong enjoyed an excellent campaign last term, he netted only four goals across his previous two Premier League seasons. 

Their defence was vulnerable last term and their defensive signings look to be, in the main, ones for the future, suggesting they could struggle at both ends on their Premier League return. 

It does not seem as if there are three teams worse than the Saints, and their return to the top flight could be short-lived. 

Back Southampton to be relegated at 5/4 with LiveScore Bet