Southampton ended their first season back in the Championship with a 2-1 win away at Leeds United.
Going into the final day, the Saints knew they could not improve on a fourth-place finish but were keen to end a run of three consecutive defeats.
They did just that, with an impressive victory over a Leeds side who maintained a glimmer of hope that they could be promoted on the final day.
It was always unlikely, though, given they needed to beat Southampton and hope Ipswich Town lost at home to a Huddersfield Town side who were already relegated.
As it was, Leeds didn’t do their bit anyway, as goals from Adam Armstrong and Will Smallbone either side of a Joel Piroe strike ensured Russell Martin‘s side finished the regular season with a win.
With Southampton already knowing their fate would be the play-offs ahead of the game and Leeds now joining them, a win over the side they could meet in the Wembley final could give them the edge mentally.
That being said, Southampton should not fear any of the clubs in the play-offs and their record against them this season shows why.
Southampton unbeaten against play-off rivals
The 2-1 win on Saturday meant that the Saints did the league double over Leeds, having beaten Daniel Farke’s side 3-1 at home in September.
That game near the beginning of the season saw Southampton end a run of four consecutive defeats, whilst Saturday’s win stopped the rot after three losses on the bounce.
It is not just Leeds that Southampton can boast taking six points from.
Southampton’s play-off semi-final opponents, West Brom, have also tasted defeat twice this season when facing Martin’s side.
The Saints beat Carlos Corberan’s Baggies 2-1 at home in November in a game that was notable for Ross Stewart making his debut off the bench.
In February, Martin repeated the trick as he got the better of his opposing manager once more in a 2-1 win at The Hawthorns.
The only side in the play-offs that Southampton have failed to beat this season is sixth-place Norwich City.
Crucially, though, they have also not been defeated by the Canaries, with the sides playing out two draws this campaign.
The first of these clashes came in the third Championship game of the season, with the pair playing out an enthralling 4-4 draw at St Mary’s.
The second meeting came on New Years’ Day, where Southampton failed to make their dominance count and were punished as Josh Sargent’s strike ensured they had to settle for a point.
The fact that no side that Southampton can face in the play-offs has been able to beat them this season should fill Martin and his players with huge confidence.
When are Southampton’s play-off fixtures?
Now that the dust has settled on a frantic Championship final day on Saturday, Southampton’s attention turns immediately to West Brom.
The midlands club ended the season with a comfortable 3-0 home win over Preston to end their own run of three defeats on the bounce.
Southampton have the advantage of playing at home in the second leg due to their superior league finish so travel to West Brom to play the first leg on Sunday 12th May for a 12:15pm kick-off.
The home tie will then be played under the lights at St Mary’s, with an 8pm kick-off on Friday 17th May.
If Southampton successfully navigate the tie, then they will set up a Wembley final with the winner between Leeds and Norwich on Sunday 26th May.
The concluding fixture in the 2023/24 Championship calendar will kick-off at midday in the capital.