Southampton could make an unwanted piece of history by becoming the earliest team to be relegated from the Premier League on Sunday.
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Saints will be relegated if they lose to TottenhamThis round of fixtures is gameweek 31Earliest previous relegation came on gameweek 32Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Southampton have endured a bitterly disappointing season and sit rock-bottom of the Premier League, having taken just 10 points from the 30 games they have played. Having won just twice all season, a defeat to Tottenham on Sunday would see Southampton relegated, and they would become the earliest team, by gameweek, to fall through the trapdoor into the Championship.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE EXPLANATION
Derby County – who were historically bad in 2007-08 and earned just 11 points all campaign – and Huddersfield Town have the distinction of the earliest relegations at present. They were both relegated in March, but after 32 games. Thus, a loss for Southampton on Sunday would see them write a piece of unwanted history, as their clash with Spurs is their 31st fixture of the league season.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Southampton will become the worst team in Premier League history if they fail to add another point to their tally in their final eight games of the campaign. They face fixtures against the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa before the season's end.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?
Saints will aim to stave off relegation on Sunday but they are highly unlikely to remain in the Premier League much longer. They are 22 points from safety.