Check out the latest odds for Southampton to be promoted from the Championship next season after they elected to stand by head coach Tonda Eckert in the wake of the Spygate scandal.
Southampton owner Dragan Solak insisted he would not sack Eckert, despite the German authorising a campaign of spying on their Championship rivals last season.
After being appointed in December, Eckert transformed Southampton's fortunes as the club climbed up the table - ultimately finishing fourth to qualify for the play-offs after going their final 19 league games of the season unbeaten.
Despite progressing beyond Middlesbrough over two legs to ostensibly claim their place in the play-off final at Wembley, the Saints were later expelled after admitting to observing opponents' training sessions.
An independent commission found that Eckert was responsible for the practice, with junior staff members claiming they felt under "extreme pressure" to be involved, despite believing it to be morally wrong.
Southampton 2026-27 promotion odds
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As part of the ruling from the independent commission, Southampton have been handed a four-point deduction which they will serve next season.
Despite being docked points the club remain among the favourites to be promoted - with only the three sides relegated from the Premier League, Middlesbrough, Birmingham and Sheffield United above them.
History is not exactly on their side when it comes to being promoted following a points deduction, however.
The only Football League side ever to achieve promotion after being docked points was Chesterfield in 2000-01 when they climbed out of what is now League Two despite being hit with a nine-point deduction for financial irregularities.
However, the coming campaign is still shrouded in uncertainty for both Eckert and the club.
An FA investigation is ongoing surrounding the Spygate scandal, and the governing body could yet opt to charge Eckert regarding any potential infractions.
Saints owner Solak insisted that he would still support Eckert in the event the Football Association impose ban the manager, and added that he would consider lodging an appeal against the decision.
"I can support him even if he's banned, but I can't make him manage if he's banned." Solak said.
"My support comes from a very simple legal situation where there is no double jeopardy. Whatever crime you did, you can be sentenced only once. I think we were 'over-sentenced'.
"The punishment that the club received was severe and completely disproportionate to the mistake that we made. We lost our chance to win £200m.
"But if they're going to go again and then double that with [a] ban, we might appeal. But he will have my support through the process. But if he's banned, he's banned. I mean, I can't put somebody to manage the club if he is not allowed."
