- The Leeds vs Southampton match will kick off at 5 PM on Sunday.
- Leeds have never won a playoff final match, losing on all three previous occasions.
- Southampton will be playing in their first-ever playoff final.
Leeds United and Southampton are set to lock horns in a mouthwatering Championship play-off final on Sunday at Wembley Stadium.
The two sides will be seeking to earn promotion to the Premier League which comes with numerous benefits including a huge amount of cash.
Southampton made it to the last round at the expense of West Bromwich Albion while Leeds humbled Norwich City to book a ticket to Wembley.
The latter registered a 4-0 win in the second leg of the thrilling encounter that was played at Elland Road, having settled for a barren draw in the first leg.
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Similar to their Sunday’s opponents, Southampton bounced back from a scoreless draw in the first leg to thrash West Bromwich Albion 3-1 in the return fixture.
This will be the fourth time Leeds are playing in the playoff final and for them, it comes with painful memories.
The Whites as they are popularly known, have lost on all three previous occasions they have made it (1986-1987, 2005-2006, 2007-2008).
Therefore, the Daniel Farke charges will do everything to avoid the unwanted record repeating itself.
On the other hand, Southampton have never qualified for the final. The closest the Saints came to playing at this stage was in 2007, where they were bundled out in the semifinal by Derby County.
Here are the key details you need to understand ahead of the tie. Click this link to place your bet on the game and remember you can get up to 1000% SportPesa bonus on your multi bet of up to 50 games.
What time does Leeds vs Southampton start?
The fixture is scheduled to kick off at 5 PM Kenyan time on Sunday at Wembley Stadium.
Leeds vs Southampton Team News
Southampton are expected to be without the injured trio of Gavin Bazunu, Juan Larios and Stuart Armstrong.
Scotland international Ryan Fraser is also a doubt for the game, having been forced off the pitch in the semifinal clash against West Bromwich Albion.
Meanwhile, Leeds will miss the services of Darko Gyabi (groin), Pascal Struijk (groin) and Patrick Bamford (knee). Sam Byram, who has a hip issue, is also unlikely to play.
Possible Starting Lineups
Leeds: Meslier, Firpo, Ampadu, Rodon, Gray, Kamara, Gruev, Gnonto, Summerville, Rutter, Piroe
Southampton: McCarthy, Stephens, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis, Walker-Peters, Downes, Aribo, Smallbone, Armstrong, Brooks, Fraser
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Leeds vs Southampton Head-to-head
Southampton were the only team to do the league double over Leeds this season. Russell Martin’s side won 3-1 at St Mary’s in September thanks to goals from Armstrong (2) and Will Smallbone.
Saints also beat Leeds on the final day at Elland Road, with Armstrong and Smallbone again on target in a 2-1 victory.
The last side to lose both league meetings with a team in the regular campaign before beating the same opponent in the second-tier play-off final was Fulham against Brentford in 2019-20.
Leeds and Southampton have met 100 times previously, with the Whites holding 48 wins to Saints’ 30 (D22); of the 19 opponents Leeds have played 100+ times, their win rate against Southampton is their greatest (48%).
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Leeds vs Southampton Current Form
Leeds: WLLDW
Southampton: LLWDW
Leeds vs Southampton Prediction
Although Russell Martin’s Southampton-coached side have beaten Leeds in their two most recent meetings, they will have to be at their best to overcome them on Sunday due to what is at stake.
Both of the two clubs will do everything to play in the Premier League next season, something that may make the upcoming match an unpredictable one.
Therefore, football fans should expect a match in which both sides may concede a goal in regular time.
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