Southampton's relegation countdown begins with huge EFL decision | OneFootball

EFL has announced Championship dates for next season. Southampton being bottom table looks like relegation favorites. Now, is it a relegation countdown or their Championship season siren, you decide.

If you are a Southampton fan, these three qualities can be far sensed about you, commitment, patience, and optimism. Otherwise, it is unnatural to support the Saints despite heartbreaks like the 2017 EFL Cup loss.

Sadly, the way Southampton's fate has been, another heartbreak seems to be on their cards.

Yes, the Premier League relegation which feels unavoidable now. And despite extreme optimism, every Saints fan would accept that Ramsdale's claim doesn't feel confident anymore.

Even statistically, Southampton needs a miraculous turnover if they are to stay up this season. Only West Brom has achieved such a feat before, and the Saints might be the second if they escape relegation from here.

But, let's be honest, the chances of this possibility look extremely slim. Given, that things continue the way they are, Southampton will be playing Championship next season.

Southampton's relegation countdown begins with huge EFL decision

Understandably, the latest EFL announcement becomes important for the Saints. As per Daily Echo, EFL has revealed the starting dates for the Championship next season.

The English second division's 2025/26 season kicks off on Saturday, 9th August 2025. The report further mentions that the matchday games will be scheduled on Friday and Saturday, similar to this season.

Well, that could not only be a Championship restart for Southampton but a fresh beginning for them as well.

Concerningly, since Ivan Juric's arrival, things haven't improved much for the Saints. Though there have been some positives, the change of managers hasn't served its purpose.

Not only for Southampton but for Juric also, his current tenure has been worrying. By numbers, one more Premier League loss would equal his forgettable Genoa stint, from where he was sacked.