Recent results now mean that Saints only have three other teams to worry about in the final seven games of the season as they strive to get into the Europa League.

A few weeks ago Saints were possibly looking at third place and qualification to the Champions League, however a run of poor results for us aligned with good results for teams around us mean that now the positions we are looking to finish in are a lot more narrowed.

Of course Saints could have a great run and finish in the top four, after all Manchester City are only 8 points above us, but that is a big gap with only 7 games left.

So in truth there are only three teams that concern Saints now, they are Liverpool and Spurs in the two places above us and Swansea in 8th a position below us.

Swansea have crept up in recent weeks and although they are still seven points behind and that is a big gap, it is still surmountable for them, if we fail to knock off a couple of quick wins and they do manage that, then they will have the advantage, however beat Hull on Saturday and get something at Stoke and it will make it very hard for them.

But the reality is now we are scrapping it out with Liverpool and Spurs for 5th, 6th & 7th place, 5th is very achievable and should be our goal in that it would mean we bypass any qualifying rounds for the Europa League and that could be a big advantage next season.

6th would get us qualification with the Europa League Place now put into the League from the Capital One Cup as the runners up do not get the place if the Winners do not need it.

That leaves 7th place as it stands at the moment there is no Europa League qualifying place for that position, however that could all change should either Arsenal or Liverpool win the FA Cup, from this perspective the best situation for Saints would be that both of these clubs get through to the FA Cup Final, if that was the case then the Europa League spot would be assured for 7th place (assuming that Swansea didnt overtake Liverpool) and indeed Saints could be assured of a European campaign as early as the weekend of the 17th/18th April if results go right for us in that time.

So all Saints have to concentrate on now is winning their own games and keeping an eye on the results of three other teams, the first step is to make that two teams by winning a few games in a row.

Photo: Action Images

mgprobert added 10:05 - Apr 8 good summary, thanks - still a lot to play for and whatever happens, a great season COYS!
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legod7 added 10:20 - Apr 8 If Swansea make up 8 points and overtake us then we do not deserve to be in Europe next season whoever wins the FA Cup
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SanMarco added 23:18 - Apr 8 The new rule about the cup runners up not getting the place could also help us. I can't bring myself to hope that Liverpool beat Villa so here's to Arsenal 4 Villa 3 in the final (and us coming 5th so it doesn't matter anyway).
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