Southampton secured a top-four finish with a decisive 3-1 victory over Preston North End at Deepdale on May 2, 2026. The win places Southampton firmly in the play-off positions of the Championship.
In the first half, Wellington assisted Harwood-Bellis’s goal in the 12th minute. Southampton quickly gained momentum and doubled their lead early in the second half.
Preston scored one goal when Dobbin capitalized on a mistake by goalkeeper Peretz. This brought some hope for Preston fans, but it was short-lived.
Larin sealed the victory for Southampton by scoring in injury time. Ryan Manning nearly added another goal but struck the post with a free-kick at the end of the game.
As of midday, Preston North End is currently 12th in the Championship, having scored 54 goals and conceded 59 this season. Their average possession stands at 46%.
Meanwhile, Southampton is 5th in the Championship, with an impressive record of scoring 79 goals this season and maintaining an 84.08% passing accuracy.
This match marks a significant turnaround for Southampton, who are now unbeaten in their last four league matches. Adam Armstrong has contributed notably with 11 league goals.
The result is crucial for both teams as they head into the final stretch of the season. Preston will need to regroup quickly to improve their standing, while Southampton aims to solidify their position in the play-offs.
The reverse fixture saw Preston win 2-0 back in November, making this victory even more significant for Southampton.