“I’m very optimistic that we can catch Ipswich, I’m actually more concerned about staying above Leeds”- Matt Le Tissier claims Saints will overtake Ipswich but face tougher challenge from Leeds in quest for automatic promotion
Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier has revealed that he’s ‘very optimistic’ that his former side will catch Ipswich Town in the race for automatic promotion.
The Blues currently sit three points above Russell Martin’s side, with Leeds United trailing behind the two teams in fourth.
However, Le Tissier has claimed that he’s more concerned about Daniel Farke’s men in the battle for a top-two finish despite the fact that Town have lost just three games all season.
“There’s only three points in it at the moment, that’s nothing over the course of another 20-odd games,” he said on BBC Radio Solent’s Saints and Sinners podcast. “I’m very optimistic that we can catch Ipswich.
“I’m actually probably a little bit more concerned about staying above Leeds. I think we will catch Ipswich, but staying above Leeds come the end of the season will be the crucial factor.
“We play Leeds on the last day of the season. I believe and that is shaping up to be quite some game.
“If it is the crucial one that means one team goes up and one team into the play-offs, then you will find me at my second away game of the season alongside two of my brothers, who happen to be Leeds United fans.”
Ipswich are currently winless in five games while Southampton are unbeaten in their last 18 matches, cutting the gap between the two sides heading into 2024.
Town claimed all three points when the two teams last met at St Mary’s back in September, with Omari Hutchinson’s first-half goal sealing a 1-0 win. The Saints are due to travel to Portman Road on April 1st.
