‘I think’ – David Prutton issues dramatic prediction for Leeds United v Southampton play-off final

“The fact that the game was only a few days ago, with Southampton going to Elland Road and getting all three points, means there is possibly a bit of a psychological advantage. They have some very good players, Southampton, not least Adam Armstrong. He is the type of player who can cause problems. Che Adams, potentially, there are still question marks about his fitness, but together the two are strong.

“There’s so much that Leeds have to watch out for, but I’m going back to the second leg, the first half of it. Leeds could have escaped that game with Norwich after going past Norwich by five or six, possibly seven. On the night Norwich were nowhere near their best but Leeds were ruthless, clinical and looked like Leeds at the start of 2024 and seemingly put that late season wobble behind them.

“They have so much firepower between the two of them that it’s a fascinating match. Chuck, if you put Daniel Farke against a former player of his in Russell Martin, the narratives are great. From the outside looking in, you talk about how immersive these games can be, there’s something in me that leans towards this one being more expansive.”

Prutton predicts the result of the Leeds v Southampton playoff final

In terms of an actual match prediction, Prutton believes Leeds will come out on top in the most dramatic of circumstances.

He expects Leeds to narrowly win from a long penalty kick:

“There were five play-off campaigns that they didn’t go through. We looked at something similar when Brentford got up, I think theirs was about eight. I want to say Leeds fans, you can keep the faith because at some point that duck has to break.

“I just talked about Leeds but I also love my Southampton fans. My family is apart, my friends are apart, I support everyone. I think Leeds go to penalties 10-9.”

Leeds will not take it easy at Wembley

It would be naïve to expect Leeds to go through the play-off final in the same way they did in the second leg of the semi-finals.

Leeds and Southampton are rightly the play-off finalists this season after being third and fourth best in the division, and this will surely make for one of the highest quality clashes in recent history this season league.

Let’s hope Prutton is right about the result, but I don’t think any of the Wembley fans could handle a penalty shoot-out to decide the season’s work.

Quiz: Remember Leeds United’s last 15 results against Southampton before the play-off final?