Neil Warnock says Leeds United ‘won’t go’ in Championship play-off final against Southampton

Neil Warnock predicts that the Championship play-off final between Leeds United and Southampton will be a spectacle, and most importantly, it won’t be an easy one for the West Yorkshire side.

Both teams have booked their place in football’s richest game on Thursday and Friday night respectively. With both semi-final ties deadlocked after the first leg, Daniel Farke’s side first brushed aside Norwich 4-0 at Elland Road to progress and were followed by Saints beating West Brom 3-1 at St. Mary.

Of course, this means that with Leicester City already promoted, they will only be joined by one of the other relegated teams last year on their return to the Premier League. The pressure is on and Warnock is excited to see how the action unfolds.

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Speaking on Sky Sports’ coverage on Friday night, he said: “I think it will be a good final. You watch Leeds last night, you think ‘oh they’re going to do it’. Southampton will be even better under pressure, as they sometimes are.

“They’re going to break fast at Wembley too – a great ground. The fans are going to have a great day, aren’t they?”

With spirits high around Elland Road heading into the capital following that stunning run against the Canaries, the 75-year-old’s message also serves as a reality check on the dangers of their next opponents. Of course, Leeds know this all too well, having lost both meetings during the 2023/24 Championship regular season – including just two weeks ago on the final day.

Co-pundit and former Saints defender Francis Benali added: “They went to Leeds with a strong line-up and for what the game was, I was surprised by how strong the line-up was. So beating Leeds at Elland Road. it’s maybe just a small psychological advantage.

“It will be a very interesting and very tough final.”