For about half of those 25 campaigns, crowds inside the Dell and St Mary’s have been rallying their team against the tide of relegation.
Only twice did they experience the sinking feeling. On every other occasion, the plucky Saints did what was required – often defying the odds.
Particularly in the 1990s, but adding to the lore again in 2018, each instance suggested the modest club were fated to remain among the elite.
It was Everton who visited Southampton in that finale in 1999, when a third successive victory secured survival after a winless run of nine to start the season.
From Matt Le Tissier to Marian Pahars to Manolo Gabbiadini, the club’s survival instincts are proudly written into the forefront of its history.
It could all come down to a point or less, and it did, yet everybody in the Saints dressing room believed they would somehow find a way.
The illusion of that invincibility has long been shattered and if Saints were to beat the drop this season, it would be contrary to all expectations.
The Toffees are desperately hanging onto their status as one of six founders to have never been stripped of Premier League membership themselves.
They visit the South Coast labelled as ‘relegation rivals’ but they are unbeaten in five and have already opened an eight-point gap from the bottom.
Despite all of the problems at Goodison Park – the historic ground now in its final season – they, like Saints in the 90s, have persistently persevered.
They travel like those Saints teams, belief coursing through their veins. They are a good, well-organised team. But they are not unbeatable.
Saints manager Russell Martin played down the importance of any one game more than another but admitted this is a “huge” encounter.
He reiterates there is a “long, long way to go,” and he is right. But they have to get started soon and the next two feel like high time.
Points totals of 36 have typically been enough to survive in the league over the last 20 years and with three sides still winless this season could be fewer.
Saints should have won against Ipswich Town and Leicester City but found inventive ways to demonstrate their catastrophic lack of concentration.
They have exhibited their ability to compete technically with those teams around them plenty but the biggest barrier in front of them is mental.
Producing an admirable and inspiring performance against a superior foe has too reliably preceded a bloody nose from a more well-matched opponent.
The bout at Man City was promising but it took Saints a full 12 rounds and they sustained damage beating a Championship opponent four days later.
For much of the last two months, clubs around Saints have also faltered. With Wolves securing a point from 2-0 down at 87 minutes last week, the final rival threatened to pull away.
The visit from Everton today and the trip to Molineux next Saturday will be threshold matches for supporters watching through the gaps in their fingers.
Threshold matches will push one way or another their belief in the potential of survival and therefore in those tasked with orchestrating it.
Do we have the players required? Are we using the best game plan for us? Can we do better with what we have got? Does a change now give us a chance?
Lose these games and you cannot begrudge any fan or commentator asking those questions. Win these games and you have a very strong retort.
Saints must take on English football’s great survivors in a test of their credentials. And, like the subjects of a Martin game plan, they must pass.
