Southampton must rely on Ipswich Town to avoid becoming a laughing-stock | OneFootball

Southampton has learned about another unfortunate milestone that is waiting just around the corner. The Saints need to get at least a few points from their next two outings else they will have to rely on Ipswich Town to avoid a miserable Premier League statistic.

Before the turn of the year, Southampton and Ipswich Town were direct relegation rivals. If we trace back to the beginning of the month, they still had that defeating the drop competition among them.

But this is football and especially the Premier League where opponents have to become allies sometimes. Plus, knowing the monotonous outcomes before the international break, their mutual contest has informally come to a close.

Alongside Leicester City, the duo rose up through the Championship ladder and will also walk back hand-in-hand to their old promotion assignment.

Thus, they might be better off helping each other to see out the season on a high note. Especially, Southampton will want this gentleman's favour from Ipswich Town to dodge the possibility of becoming the Premier League's laughing-stock.

Southampton need Ipswich's resilience to escape swift Premier League slump

Now, Ipswich can't help the Saints reach beyond Derby County's finish line but they can at least slow down Southampton's Championship status.

As things stand, Southampton appears to be racing to receive the fastest relegated honour. Honestly, that would be an embarrassment but it's still preventable as long as their previous opponents Wolves don't embark on their winning ways again.

As pointed out by the Daily Echo, the Premier League's most rapid expulsion has occurred after 32 matches and Southampton needs to retain their fading top flight recognition for at least three more matchdays.

The 31st match-week will see Ipswich hosting Wolves where they would enjoy the Saints' support in a bid to reduce the magnitude of shame coming Southampton's way.

Regardless, Southampton fans must not put excessive trust in them given their own struggles. Let's hope the situation doesn't demand them to remain dependent on this fixture next month.