The English Championship season reaches its pinnacle as Leeds United and Southampton prepare to battle it out in the playoff final on May 26, 2024, at Wembley Stadium.
The winner of this high-stakes match will earn a coveted place in the prestigious Premier League.
Match Preview
Leeds United, who finished 3rd in the Championship with 90 points, head into the playoff final on the back of an impressive 4-0 home victory over Norwich City in the semi-finals.
Dominant from the start, Leeds United took just 7 minutes to open the scoring, eventually securing a commanding 3-0 lead by halftime. They sealed their triumph with a fourth goal in the second half.
However, Leeds United’s recent form has been moderately inconsistent, with only two wins in their last eight Championship matches.
Despite this, their games have often featured goals, as they have seen over 2.5 goals in four of their last five encounters.
On the other hand, Southampton, who finished 4th in the Championship with 87 points, enter the playoff final with confidence after defeating West Bromwich Albion 3-1 in the second leg of the semi-finals.
After a goalless first half, Southampton took the lead in the 49th minute, forcing WBA to push forward.
Southampton capitalized on the situation, adding two more goals in the 78th and 86th minutes to secure their spot in the final.
Though West Bromwich Albion managed a consolation goal in added time, it was not enough to stop Southampton.
Recent trends reveal Southampton’s struggles in the Championship, with only two wins in their last six games.
The team has also had difficulty keeping clean sheets, conceding at least one goal in five of their last six matches.
Recent Match Results & Stats:
Leeds United:
- Last match: Leeds United 4-0 Norwich City (Championship playoff semi-final)
- Form: WLLDW
Southampton:
- Last match: Southampton 3-1 West Bromwich Albion (Championship playoff semi-final)
- Form: LLWDW
Head-to-Head:
Leeds United and Southampton faced each other in the regular league season’s final match, with Southampton emerging victorious with a 2-1 win.
However, history suggests that Leeds United has been marginally superior overall.
Team News & Updates:
Leeds United will be without the injured duo of Patrick Bamford and Pascal Struijk.
Meanwhile, Southampton will be missing Stuart Armstrong, Gavin Bazunu, and Juan Larios due to injuries.
However, striker Che Adams is expected to make a return to the team after missing the semi-final.
Prediction & Analysis:
Predicting the outcome of a Championship playoff final is always challenging due to the unique nature of the occasion.
Considering the league table, Leeds United has displayed a marginal edge over Southampton throughout the season. This advantage could prove vital in this match.
We anticipate Leeds United to open the scoring, building pressure on Southampton to find an equalizer.
As a result, Daniel Farke’s team may take advantage of the situation and score a second goal, ultimately clinching victory and securing a spot in the Premier League.
- Leeds United 2-0 Southampton