Leeds Utd vs Southampton tips and predictions: Premier League at stake in richest match in football

Imagine being a Londoner over the next couple of weeks. You have the European Rugby Champions Cup final, the FA Cup final, the Champions League final and, above all else, Barry Manilow is touring around the capital.

But while Mandy and Copacabana are both classic tunes, fans at Wembley Stadium will be singing about marching. Question is, will it be about Saints marching in, or marching on together?

 

 

Leeds United head into Sunday’s play-off final as slight favourites following a solid campaign under Daniel Farke.

Despite making it this far, you can’t help but feel a hint of disappointment from the Leeds faithful who must have thought their side would seal automatic promotion.

The West Yorkshire side seemed on course for a top two finish until a run of one win from their last six matches of the regular season consigned them to the horrors of play-off football.

As things stand, there’s been a lot less horror and a lot more joy as the Whites picked up a fantastic 4-0 win over Norwich in the semi-final.

However, getting past Southampton will undoubtedly prove a lot easier said than done.

Saints will bring a certain level of confidence into this encounter having already beaten Leeds twice this season – including a 2-1 win at Elland Road on the final day of the regular season.

Russell Martin’s men will also be relatively pleased with their semi-final showing after dismantling West Brom 3-1.

This is the first play-off final for Southampton and the fourth for Leeds United who are winless in this fixture.

However, in Farke, Leeds have themselves a manager who is a Championship expert.

Having won this division twice before with Norwich, we’re backing the German to lead his new club into the Premier League with a narrow win over Southampton.

Both teams to score and Leeds to win is the way to go in the richest fixture in world football.

 

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Team news

Leeds will be without Patrick Bamford and Pascal Struijk. Dan James, however, is fit and could feature.

Southampton, meanwhile, will be missing Gavin Bazunu and Stuart Arstrong.

 

Key stats

- Southampton were the only team to do the league double over Leeds this season

- This is the third second tier play-off final between two teams that were relegated in the previous campaign

- Leeds have reached a play-off final for the fourth time, failing to win promotion on each of the previous three occasions (1986-87, 2005-06, 2007-08)

- Southampton will play in their first play-off final with this just their second ever play-off campaign

 

Suggested bets

Leeds to win and both teams to score

Leeds to score first 

Penalty – yes

 

Emma's offer: Leeds v Soton Bet £10, get £5 free bet if Leeds win in 90 mins