Saints will have a significant chance to boost their European hopes in their next half-a-dozen games – beginning with Sunday’s visit of Swansea.

This weekend’s fixture kicks-off a run of six matches that sees Ronald Koeman’s men play at home four times – and not once against a side currently in the top six.

Saints are riding high in the table right now, sitting in a sensational third place with Champions League qualification a real possibility.

Confidence has also soared again, with the club unbeaten in their last six top-flight encounters, recording wins over Everton, Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle, as well as a draw with leaders Chelsea.

Saints’ scintillating form during such a challenging run has put them in an incredible position with 16 games left.

If their next six matches prove anywhere near as good as the last – and, on paper at least, they certainly do not look as daunting – then they will be in great shape heading into the run-in.

After taking on a depleted Swansea this weekend, Saints will head to second-from-bottom QPR.

Then comes a crucial home double-header against fellow European rivals West Ham, who are seventh, and eighth-placed Liverpool.

Koeman will then take his team to West Bromwich Albion, before they host Crystal Palace, with both of those sides in the bottom half, albeit showing signs of resurgence under new managers.

Indeed, Saints saw at first hand the impact Alan Pardew has had on the Eagles during last weekend’s FA Cup tie at St Mary’s.

Between now and the end of the campaign, Saints will face seven games against teams currently in the top ten, with nine against the lower section of the division.

That is the same split as Manchester United and Chelsea, with only Arsenal among those who are seriously challenging for Europe enjoying a nicer run on paper – the Gunners face ten bottom-half teams and only six from the top half.

Manchester City, Tottenham, and West Ham have an even split, with eight top-ten teams remaining and the same number from the lower portion of the division.

Liverpool have the toughest remaining schedule, with nine upper-half sides and just seven from the bottom left.