Leeds and Southampton will seal their return to the Premier League in the play-off final

VaselineMay 25, 2024

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Leeds and Southampton will seal their return to the Premier League in the play-off final

WEMBLEY will be packed to the rafters for the second day in a row as Leeds United and Southampton go head-to-head in this afternoon’s Championship play-off final.

Both sides are looking to return to the Premier League at the first asking and will be buoyed by a wide and expected support at the home of English football.

They booked their place at Wembley in almost identical fashion, finishing the job at home in the semi-finals with a comfortable victory after drawing 0-0 on the road in the first leg.

Now they pull it off in what should be a tight game and only one of them will emerge with the prize of a lucrative return to the top flight.

Leeds United vs Southampton Top Betting Tips

Both teams like to play on the front foot and have plenty of firepower, but the enormity of the occasion often turns this play-off final into a war of attrition.

Nobody wants to make a mistake when the stakes are high, so a halftime draw is always a good option and pays 11/10 with Bet365. Keeping the most goals coming after the break also looks good in ties.

Crysencio Summerville has been the driving force for Leeds and the Championship Player of the Year looks good value at 11/10 for a goal or assist. For a goal with long odds, he is 12/1 to score from outside the box.

Joe Aribo is a midfield threat for Southampton and has big-game pedigree after scoring for Rangers in the Europa League final. Looks too expensive at 2/1 just to have a shot on goal.

Ross County vs Raith Rovers Top Betting Tips

It’s also crunch time in the Scottish play-offs, with Ross County and Raith Rovers playing the second leg of their final at Dingwall.

The Staggies are in the driving seat after winning 2-1 away but Sam Stanton’s late goal gave Rovers some hope as they head north.

Ian Murray’s men have no choice but to go for it, so that bodes well for goals. BTTS combo over 2.5 shots pays 6/5 and that looks good.

County forwards Simon Murray and Jordan White linked up well in the first leg and should pick up some points. Both look too expensive at 2/1 for the anytime scorer and White is a tempting 11/2 to score with a header.

Club Brugge vs Cercle Brugge Top Betting Tips

Club Brugge have already sealed the Belgian title but will want to finish the job in style tonight with a derby win against Cercle.

Heading into the final day, Nicky Hayen’s men sit three points and 12 goals clear of Union St-Gilloise, so it will take a monumental collapse for them to blow it.

The last four derbies have ended in draws and another stalemate would be enough to seal the deal. That pays 3/1 but Club Brugge are 11/20 hot favorites to sign off with a win.

Andreas Skov Olsen’s form has been instrumental in leading the club to the title, with the winger netting six times in his last five games. The Dane is 11/10 for another strike today.

Brondby vs AGF Aarhus Top Betting Tips

It’s much closer to the top going into the final day in Denmark, with only goal difference keeping Brondby above Midtjylland.

They are seven goals clear, so a win at home to AGF Aarhus should be enough to get Brondby over the line today. But it won’t be easy as AGF ended their title hopes in Copenhagen by defeating the champions in midweek.

The bookies can’t see them suffering another shock as Brondby are massive 19/50 favourites. The leaders have won their last two games to nil but Aarhus have scored freely so BTTS look decent at 10/11.

Brondy should have the most pressure and I call at -2 in the corner handicap which pays 21/20.