Juric insists Southampton must avoid becoming ‘worst team’ in history.

Ivan Juric has stressed that Southampton are determined to avoid earning the unwanted title of "the worst team in Premier League history."

Currently sitting at the bottom of the table with just nine points and 17 points behind safety, Southampton face the possibility of official relegation by the end of the week. If they lose to both Crystal Palace and Tottenham, and if Wolves and Spurs manage to secure wins in their upcoming fixtures, Southampton could be relegated in record time.

Juric, reflecting on the situation, acknowledged that the team’s immediate goal is to surpass Derby County’s lowest-ever Premier League points tally of 11, set back in the 2007/08 season, with nine matches still remaining in their campaign.

Asked what his message to the squad is heading into the final stretch of the season, Juric explained: "They have to do their best.

"I think we have to go now to avoid becoming the worst team in the history of the Premier League, and then let's see what we can do.

"We have a good opportunity against Crystal Palace at home, and we should prepare one game at a time.

"I think we are in good shape; we can do it (beat Derby's record-low points tally), and we will try to win the match against Palace."

The Croatian manager worked with a reduced squad over the international break due to several players receiving call-ups to represent their country.

Juric was left with only "three defenders and two midfielders" and had to call upon under-21s players to make up the numbers and act as the opposition in training.

"We had 10 players for work, and they did a good session," he reflected. "They worked really hard with enthusiasm.

"It was good. The last two or three days, we are all now back together, and we are working. I had the opportunity to work with them, and I could do some good things."

Palace progressed to the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday following a convincing 3-0 away win at fellow London club Fulham.

Oliver Glasner's side have only lost twice since the start of 2025 and recorded a narrow 2-1 win over Saints just before the turn of the year.

Despite the Eagles being boosted by Jean-Philippe Mateta's return, Juric is confident Saints can cause them problems, as they did at Selhurst Park during his second game in charge.

"They have really great players," he said. "They play 3-4-3, always the same. Normally, they play always first eleven and he repeats first eleven continuously.

"They are great players, great quality, fast, technical. It was a tough game against them there in London, but it was not easy for them to win against us.

"We want to repeat the game and maybe do some things better than that day. They are really good.

"They need really small spaces to score goals and to create chances. They are technically fast, physically strong, they are really good.

"I think they play good football but simple, very simple. They have lots of quality. What we notice when we watch Crystal Palace is that they always play the same.

"They know what to do on the pitch, and then they have really good quality in the attack, and they win the matches with that quality."