Ronald Koeman believes Southampton will have to win their six remaining games to stand any chance of reaching the Champions League.
This has been a remarkable season at St Mary's, with the club already having levelled the record Premier League points tally of 56 set last year.
That record will no doubt be broken in the coming weeks and things could get better still, with Manchester City's sudden drop-off opening up the potential for a top-four finish.
Saints have five points to claw back on the reigning champions but Koeman believes it is possible if they win all their remaining games.
"Normally yes," the Dutchman said. "The distance is five points. We need to win I think all.
"They (City) don't lose three games, no. They have the next two at home. Normally, with the players that they have, the qualities.
"You never know, but it's all about to win the last six to have really a good chance to be one of the top four teams."
Saints travel to the Etihad Stadium on the final day of the season and, by contrast to the other sides chasing a top-four berth, have a kind set of fixtures before that.
Tottenham and Aston Villa come to St Mary's, while trips to Sunderland, Leicester and City follow Saturday's match at Stoke.
"Yeah, but in the last part of the season, okay, what's the best to play against?" Koeman asked. "A team who's fighting for no relegation or two teams who are fighting for the title? I don't know.
"Every game is difficult. You have to be on your level to win a game. All are difficult.
"We play Sunderland away, we play Leicester away and they're fighting for not going down and that's even difficult."
Koeman is certainly not taking the run-in lightly and the trip to the Britannia Stadium will be an interesting test for Southampton's players at this stage.
"It is a difficult one," the Dutchman said. "We have that experience this season two times we play Stoke, one time at home and one time away for the League Cup.
"Both games we won but in both it was difficult because we know the qualities of them.
"We know the manager was always with the high spirit, the high intention in the game, physical players, direct game.
"Maybe we are lucky to play this weekend there, with the temperature and weather but I know it's always windy and that makes it still more difficult.
"The weather will be good this weekend and circumstances good for the weekend."