SAINTS have guaranteed they will host the semi-final's second leg in the Championship playoffs if they fail to win automatic promotion.

Russell Martin's side have confirmed a minimum of a top-four finish in the second division with their 3-0 win over Preston on Tuesday.

Saints sit 12 points ahead of fifth-place West Brom while the Baggies only have three games remaining and nine points up for grabs.

The St Mary's outfit are only five points off league-leaders Ipswich Town with a game in hand and could secure an automatic berth. 

However, a minimum of a top-four finish means Saints will go away in the first leg of a playoff semi-final before returning home in the second. 

As it stands, West Brom and Norwich are extremely likely to finish inside the top six with six points separating Norwich and seventh-place Hull. 

Liam Rosenior's Tigers side do boast a game in hand on Norwich but still have only four fixtures left to make up the deficit. 

It means Saints will likely visit one of West Brom or Norwich on either Sunday, May 12 (12:30pm) or Monday, May 13 (8pm).

The return leg at St Mary's would then take place on either Thursday, May 16 (8pm) and Friday, May 17 (8pm). 

The team that finishes third will play in the first slot of each leg, on Sunday and Thursday, while fourth-place plays on Monday and Friday.

The Championship playoff final is scheduled for Sunday, May 26, at Wembley Stadium with a kick-off time yet to be confirmed.

Last season's 2023 Championship playoff final contested by Luton Town and Coventry City kicked off at 4:45pm.