Southampton: Hasenhuttl now facing 'massive game' at St Mary's

Southampton could get relegated if they lose their final two matches, according to ex-Saints midfielder Carlton Palmer.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s charges head into their final two fixtures sitting six points above the relegation zone, but they’re not yet safe having tasted victory just once in their last nine Premier League matches.

When Southampton beat Norwich just more than two months ago, there was no reason to believe they weren’t in the conversation for European football, with the gap to Tottenham just four points.

But five points from a possible 27 later means that the Saints are somehow still not secure of their top-flight status having seen their form dip quite dramatically.

On Saturday, they were comfortably beaten at Brentford, which leaves them six points clear of 18th place Leeds, who have a game in hand, while Everton and Burnley have also played fewer matches than the South Coast outfit.

As a result, by the time Hasenhuttl’s side host Liverpool on Tuesday, they could be within touching-distance of the bottom three and in serious danger of getting dragged into a final day dogfight.

And Palmer reckons that collecting zero points from their final two matches could see them playing Championship football next season.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “The one that we can’t overlook is Southampton. They could get drawn back into it. Their last two games are Liverpool at home and Leicester away.

“If they end up with no points from those two games, they could go down on 40 points.

“It’s a massive game, Liverpool need to win at Southampton after dropping points against Spurs and Leicester away won’t be an easy game.”

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While Southampton could easily remain