Southampton ended the regular season with an impressive 2-1 win away at Leeds United on Saturday.
Goals from Adam Armstrong and Will Smallbone saw Russell Martin‘s side triumph over a side they have been battling with for promotion all season.
As Ipswich Town won, that battle could continue with both Leeds and Southampton‘s futures now set to be determined via the play-offs.
The pair will avoid each other in the semi-finals, with Leeds instead facing Norwich City whilst the Saints prepare for two legs against West Brom.
As Southampton already knew they could not improve on a fourth place finish regardless of the result against Leeds, the game was meaningless for them in a mathematical sense.
However, Martin clearly felt the game still held significance and this was reflected by the side he selected for the final day.
Russell Martin made risky selection decision against Leeds
With the play-offs imminent, many assumed Martin would name a heavily rotated side against Leeds.
Perhaps he would have done had Southampton not been on a dismal run of three consecutive defeats, including a 5-0 loss to champions Leicester City.
That run, coupled with the fact the fringe players failed to impress against Stoke City a week earlier, meant Martin opted to play his strongest side against Leeds.
The fact that Southampton could face Leeds in a Wembley final at the end of May to determine which side makes an instant return to the Premier League would also have been a factor in this decision.
Having also beat Daniel Farke’s side 3-1 in September, Southampton have done the double over Leeds this season and the mental implications of that could play their part if the sides face off at Wembley.
Not only did the Southampton boss surprise many by playing his strongest XI, he also threw a curveball with a change in formation.
Martin has almost exclusively favoured a 4-3-3 formation this season, but sprung a shock tactical tweak as he sent his team out in a back three.
This change gave the side a more solid look than they have had in recent weeks and allowed Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens all to, not only all play, but all play their favoured centre-back position.
Martin’s Leeds gamble paid off
As much as Martin would never have wanted to accept defeat against Leeds, there must have been part of him that wanted to send out a second string and wrap his star players in cotton wool.
The likes of Ryan Manning and Flynn Downes have both been absent recently with knocks and it was a risk to play both but it was one that paid off.
Martin watched on as his side performed impressively before defending resolutely to see out the 2-1 win.
Ross Stewart also made his long-awaited return in what was a pleasing way to end the regular season.
The only worry came when Che Adams went down injured in the second-half before before being replaced in the 61st minute.
Adams has been one of Southampton’s best performers in recent weeks and, with Stewart nowhere near ready to start a game, will be relied on heavily in the play-offs.
However, Martin was quick to calm any fears after the game, confirming that Adams was substituted merely as a precaution after complaining of muscle tightness.
With a confidence building win and a display to match – as well as no significant injury worries – Martin’s gamble paid off.