Leeds United vs Southampton: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Leeds United will face Southampton in the Championship play-off final with immediate return to the Premier League the winners’ reward on Sunday afternoon at Wembley Stadium.

The Whites and Saints are looking to join the top flight after relegation in 2022/23, but only one of them will be able to join Leicester City and Ipswich Town at the elite level next term.

United finished three points clear of Southampton, who have won both of their meetings this season.

There it is 90 minutes preview ahead of Sunday’s decider at Wembley.

Record between Leeds United and Southampton (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

Leeds thrashed Norwich City 4-0 in the second leg of their semi-final and manager Daniel Farke is unlikely to play too much with his starting XI on Sunday.

The German confirmed, however, that striker Patrick Bamford will play no part, while centre-back Pascal Struijk is also unavailable.

Leeds United vs Southampton predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Tradesman; Gray, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gruev, Kamara; Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville; Pyro.

Southampton have sweated over the fitness of striker Che Adams in the build-up to the weekend clash. The Scotland international missed the two games against West Bromwich Albion but Saints boss Russell Martin has confirmed that both he and Ross Stewart have recovered and are on course to play.

Gavin Bazunu, Juan Larios and Stuart Armstrong were long-term absentees for St Mary’s and will not feature in the play-off final.

Southampton v Leeds United predicted line-up (3-5-2): McCarthy; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens; Walker-Peters, Smallbone, Downes, Aribo, Manning; Armstrong, Adams.

Leeds were not strong enough to usurp Ipswich and win automatic promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt, but their demolition of Norwich in the second leg of the semi-final means Farke’s side will be full of confidence.

Three defeats on the spin looked to have badly set Southampton up for the play-offs, but they won at Leeds on the final day and the mental advantage of having two wins in their pocket from the teams’ two meetings cannot be understated.

Both clubs are desperate to join Leicester in returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking, but it could be Southampton who need a third win over Leeds this season to return to the promised land.

Prediction: Leeds United 1-2 Southampton

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