- Leeds to win - 13/10
- Draw - 9/4
- Southampton to win - 11/5
So often billed as the ‘richest game in football’, the Championship play-off final on Sunday sees Leeds take on Southampton at Wembley hoping to seal a spot in next season’s Premier League.
After 48 league games each this season it all boils down to the final day, with the riches of the English top flight a reward for the winners and financial repercussions inevitable for the losers.
There’s not much to pick between the two sides either, with Leeds the better side over the course of the season but Southampton with a 100% record against the Whites this season.
We’ve taken a closer look at the game and picked out a few tips and predictions.
Leeds vs Southampton Match Preview
Only a couple of weeks ago, Leeds fans would have been full of apprehension heading to Wembley, and that’s not just because of their miserable record at the ground.
It is Leeds’ fourth play-off final and they have yet to win one which led to many fans immediately writing off their semi-final hopes having somehow failed to go up automatically in the regular Championship season, but those hopes have been revived following a thrilling performance against Norwich last week.
It was a dream night for punters, with forwards Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Joel Piroe all on target as Leeds battered the Canaries 4-0 to book a date at Wembley and that confidence has carried through, with many hoping that a revitalised side can turn up against the Saints on Sunday.
Russell Martin’s side were 2-1 winners on the last day of the season at Elland Road so should go into the game with confidence, but that win came with several Leeds players desperately short on confidence and form, but the win over Norwich could see them return to their electric best and serve up a treat.
But it is not as though Southampton don’t have exciting players themselves, having hammered Leeds 3-1 earlier in the season as well as recording the 2-1 win on the last day of the season with Adam Armstrong and William Smallbone the two men on target in both matches.
There are plenty of exciting players on show and as former Leeds manager Simon Grayson pointed out in an exclusive interview with Freebets.com, he expects the game to be decided by a moment of brilliance in an open match, rather than a drab, tense affair.
Leeds vs Southampton Tips
Here is a look at Grayson’s tips ahead of the final.
“I would have both teams to score at the weekend,” he said when asked about his tip for the weekend. “I would think it would be 2-1 either way, and my head and my heart is saying Leeds are going to win 2-1, and that’s what I’m wanting.
“I cannot see it being a dull, drab affair. I think there is too much quality on the pitch.
“There is a lot riding on it and mistakes could happen. I expect both teams to score, and probably 2-1 to Leeds.”
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