The crucial fixtures Southampton must get spot on to seal playoffs | OneFootball

Southampton narrowly avoided defeat at West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday, Cyle Larin striking late so they did not lose 1-0. Relief was mixed with irritation at dropping ground in the play-off race.

According to Sainstmarching.com, the Saints had been favoured given the formbook. West Brom were winless in 12 league games and Southampton were unbeaten in 10 across all competitions, yet football rarely follows script.

Tonda Eckert's side now need more wins as the run-in tightens, aiming to upset Wrexham and sneak into the top six. These are the fixtures they must execute cleanly.

Coventry vs Southampton: a daunting trip to the leaders. Coventry sit on a league-best 77 points and look set to clinch promotion to the Premier League with ease, but a recent FA Cup upset at Fulham offers a template for a fearless display at the CBS Arena.

Southampton vs Oxford United: a potential complacency trap against relegation battlers. The Saints must be on their A-game late in March against Matt Bloomsfield's side, who still retain a chance of safety.

Wrexham vs Southampton: April brings the FA Cup quarter-final with Arsenal, then a crucial visit to their main obstacle for the final play-off spot. Victory there could hand Eckert's men a major psychological lift.

Southampton vs Derby County: Derby are level on points with the Saints and remain direct rivals. This arrives one game after the high-stakes meeting in Wrexham, before a penultimate test of the 46-game season against Ipswich Town that could shape the play-offs.

Source: Sainstmarching.com