The prospect of an immediate return to the Premier League is in store for both Leeds and Southampton as the two go head-to-head at Wembley on Sunday, and we have used our key insight to produce three Championship play-off final tips ahead of the richest game in club football.
Leeds were firmly in the race for automatic promotion for large swathes of the regular season before four defeats in their last six games of the regular season saw the Whites fall away from contention. However, Daniel Farke’s men were dominant in their play-off semi-final second leg against Norwich as they cruised to a 4-0 victory after a goalless first game.
Southampton also had a stuttering end to the campaign with three defeats from their final four matches, however the victory in that run came at Leeds on the final day. The Saints were also comfortable victors in their semi-final, beating West Brom 3-1 on aggregate.
Leeds can return to Premier League after one-year absence
After relegation from the top flight last season along with Leicester, both Leeds and Southampton were favourites for an immediate return to the Premier League.
While the Foxes topped the pile in the second tier, a surprise promotion challenge from newly-promoted Ipswich scuppered the automatic dreams of the Whites and the Saints, meaning only one can return to the summit of the English football pyramid on Sunday.
Southampton will have plenty of belief going into the final given their two victories over Leeds this season – the Saints secured a 3-1 win at St Mary’s in September before ending the Whites’ dwindling top-two hopes with a 2-1 success at Elland Road at the beginning of this month.
However, form can go out the window when it comes to a final and the Whites arguably possess the deadliest attack in the Championship this season. with Crysencio Summerville (20), Joel Piroe (13) and Dan James (13) have all reached double-figure goal tallies this season while Georgino Rutter was send in the assists table in the second tier.
With that abundance of talent in forward areas, the Whites should have the required quality to get the job done at Wembley. However, the Saints scored five goals in their two meetings with Leeds this season and can also get on the scoresheet.
Championship Play-Off Final Tips; Saints to Score
Southampton scored 87 goals in the regular Championship season, which was third in the division and behind only top-two Leicester and Ipswich. The form of striker Adam Armstrong was pivotal to their efforts and he should be the man to trouble Leeds the most.
The Englishman notched 21 goals in the league – beaten only by Blackburn’s Sammie Szmodics – while the 27-year-old also provided 13 assists, more than any other Saints player.
Armstrong netted a brace in the second-leg victory over West Brom last time out and his scoring form could prove crucial in keeping the Saints in the contest, making him a tempting option in the anytime goalscorer market.
Championship Play-Off Final Tips – Leeds vs Southampton
Leeds to win and both teams to score @ 4.00 with kwiff
Adam Armstrong anytime goalscorer @ 2.90 with kwiff
By Phil Agius
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