THE weight of history is firmly on Saints’ side as they chase a remarkable top four finish.

Ronald Koeman’s men, written off as relegation candidates by many last summer, are aiming to cause a seismic shock by claiming a Champions League place.

And the fact Saints are in the top four towards the end of January traditionally means they will stay there and stun the footballing world.

Only six clubs have finished in the top four spots in the past nine seasons – the two Manchester teams, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham.

Saints are currently third with 16 games left and last weekend’s 2-1 win at Newcastle kept them three points ahead of fifth placed Arsenal – and with a superior goal difference.

History shows that very few teams drop out of the top four if they are in it at this stage of the season.

In fact, in the past ten years, only four times – a one in ten ratio – has a team in the top four after 22 matches NOT finished there.

On two of those occasions the team has finished fifth – still qualifying for Europe via the Europa League – while on two occasions they have finished sixth.

Saints have never finished higher than eighth in the Premier League – in 2002/03 and last season.

The last team to hold down a top four slot after 22 games and finish outside the Champions League places was Tottenham in 2012/13, when they finished fifth – good enough for a Europa League place.

Tottenham also slid out of the top four to finish fifth in 2005/06.

Chelsea dipped from fourth to sixth in 2011/12, but had the satisfaction of completing a Champions League and FA Cup double instead.

The biggest positional slip came in 2008/09 when Aston Villa, third after 22 games and only three points off top spot, finished sixth.

TEAMS IN THE TOP FOUR AFTER 22 GAMES NOT FINISHING IN THE TOP FOUR

2013/14 0

2012/13 1

Tottenham 4th to 5th

2011/12 1

Chelsea 4th to 6th

2010/11 0

2009/10 0

2008/09 1

Villa 3rd to 6th

2007/08 0

2006/07 0

2005-6 1

Tottenham 4th to 5th

2004/05 0