Southampton odds to be relegated from 2024-25 Premier League: Probable finish, signings, best players and full squad

Southampton returned to the Premier League for the 2024-25 season. But their stay is looking like a brief one.

Saints earned their spot back in the top flight through the Championship play-offs, beating Leeds in the final. Having been relegated last summer, Southampton finished fourth in the regular season.

The last time Southampton were a newly-promoted side in the Premier League, they finished 14th in 2012-13, becoming an established team in the division. Last season, all three promoted sides were immediately relegated from the Premier League. And it looks like that will be the case this season, with Southampton propping up the table after 29 games. They’re 17 points from safety and most bookmakers have stopped taking bets on Southampton being relegated.

Latest Southampton odds to be relegated from 2024-25 Premier League

Southampton’s transfer window business

Who are Southampton’s most important players?

Southampton’s top scorer: Paul Onuachu

Adam Armstrong’s goals contributed significantly to Southampton’s promotion to the Premier League. However, he has struggled to find his scoring form since their return to England’s top division. Goals have been hard to come by for the Saints, with only two players scoring more than two goals. Joe Aribo, a midfielder, is one with the other Paul Onuachu — who has played 759 minutes. Despite his lack of minutes, Onuachu sits in the top five for shots at Southampton (25) and leads for efforts on target (12). Of course, he sits clear when breaking down to per 90 minutes, averaging 2.96 shots and 1.42 shots on target.

Southampton’s primary playmaker: Mateus Fernandes

With a lack of goals, you won’t be surprised that Southampton have also been lacking creativity. It’s not just bad finishing, it’s poor chance creation. Mateus Fernandes is Southampton’s most creating player so far this season, creating 25 chances in the Premier League. Four of those have been big chances, with only Yukinari Sugawara (seven) creating more for Southampton this season. Those chances have translated to two assists, with no Southampton player managing more.

Southampton’s card magnets & top tacklers: Mateus Fernandes

As well as being their most creative player, Fernandes also leads Southampton for tackles. The midfielder has made 67 tackles in the Premier League this season, 25 more than any other Saints player. He also ranks second for fouls (34), with only Flynn Downes (40) committing more. Downes also leads Southampton for yellow cards on nine, but Fernandes is once again second with seven yellows.

Southampton’s rising star: Tyler Dibling

Tyler Dibling made his Southampton debut last season, although he didn’t get much playing time with the first team, appearing in five matches across all competitions. This season, he has already surpassed that figure. Dibling has been one of the few highlights of Southampton’s season, making 25 appearances in the league and scoring two goals. Some believe he won’t be at Southampton when they return to the Championship.

Southampton’s set-piece specialists:

• Penalties: Cameron Archer
• Free kicks: Mateus Fernandes
• Corners: Mateus Fernandes

Southampton tactical analysis, formation & player ratings

Southampton’s team stats from the 2023-24 Championship season (avg per game):

• Corners: 7.29
• Shots on target: 5.61
• Shots on target conceded: 3.65
• Offsides: 1.94

Southampton 2024-25 player ratings*

• GK: Aaron Ramsdale – 61% – Since joining, he has been kept busy, making 4.33 saves per 90 minutes, with 2.62 coming from inside his own box.
• RB: Kyle Walker-Peters – 58% – Has blocked 0.53 shots per 90 this season, with 2.42 clearances.
• CB: Taylor Harwood-Bellis – 50% – Having joined permanently, Harwood-Bellis is yet to successfully adapt to Premier League football. He has won just 50% of his ground duels.
• CB: Jan Bednarek – 53% – He has struggled this season, succeeding in 65.93% of his aerial duels. But he has been busy with 6.19 clearances per 90.
• CB: Jack Stephens – 46% – He has shifted from his usual position as a right-back to become one of Southampton’s three centre-backs, but has won just 44.44% of his aerial duels and 43.59% of his ground duels.
• LB: Ryan Manning – 61% – Converted to a left-wing back under Ivan Juric’s guidance, he ranks in the 60-80th percentile among full-backs for tackles won (1.48 per 90) and touches in the opposition box (2.03 per 90 minutes).
• CM: Flynn Downes – 45% – Discipline has been a concern for Downes, having already picked up nine yellow cards. He is also performing below par in other metrics, such as tackles won (1.18) and possessions won in the middle third (1.53).
• CM: Adam Lallana – 55% – Lallana scores okay as a defensive midfielder, though he averages 1.26 tackles won and 1.26 interceptions retaining possession per 90. The Englishman’s 0.51 intentional assists per 90 and 0.25 big chances created boosts him up.
• RW: Tyler Dibling – 37% – Southampton’s campaign has been highlighted by the emergence of a surprising young talent, whose speed and skill make him a challenging opponent for defenders. Dibling has been utilised across four different positions, and has completed 2.34 take-ons per 90. But the lack of end product has hurt him.
• LW: Mateus Fernandes – 37% – Although he is performing well in winning tackles (1.63 per 90), Fernandes has struggled with creating big chances (0.17 per 90 minutes) and has one goal to his name.
• CF: Cameron Archer – 43% – Cameron Archer started the season well by Southampton’s low standards, but he’s struggled overall with just 0.15 goals per 90 and 0.31 non-penalty Expected Goals.

Southampton’s full Premier League 2024-25 squad

Southampton FAQs

Where did Southampton finish in the 2023-24 Championship season?

Southampton earned their spot in the 2024-25 Premier League by winning the 2023/24 Championship play-offs. Saints had finished fourth in the table in the regular season.

Who is the Southampton manager?

Russell Martin is the Southampton manager, taking charge at the start of last season.

Who is the current Southampton captain?

Jack Stephens is Southampton captain, taking the armband from James Ward-Prowse last season.

What is Southampton’s best Premier League finish?

Southampton’s best finish in the Premier League came in the 2015-16 season when they placed sixth.

More Premier League 2024-25 content:

• Premier League 2024-25 outright odds
• Premier League 2024-25 Golden Boot odds
• Premier League net spend