Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Championship clash between Leeds United and Southampton, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Leeds United square off against Southampton on Saturday afternoon know that only a win will do if they want to retain hope of automatic promotion from the Championship.
At a time when Leeds are third in the standings, Southampton are fourth, albeit six points adrift of their hosts at Elland Road.
Match preview
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Having dropped just four points across a 15-game period between New Year’s Day and April 1, there was an assumption that Leeds were going to do enough to get over the line with regards to automatic promotion.
However, Ipswich Town’s persistence in the race for the top two has led to Daniel Farke‘s side wilting under the pressure, delivering just four points in their last five matches.
Their solitary success during that time was a 4-3 victory away at Middlesbrough, but they would concede four goals in a demolition job at the hands of Queens Park Rangers four days later.
With Ipswich subsequently collecting four points from away fixtures at Hull City and Coventry City, Leeds now require the Tractor Boys to lose to 23rd-placed Huddersfield Town to retain any hope of automatic promotion.
Farke will insist that his side focus on their own matters. Although they have the best home record in the Championship, Leeds have failed to score against Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers in their last two fixtures at Elland Road.
Opponents Southampton are another example of how winning and unbeaten streaks do not necessarily lead to teams lasting the pace in the Championship.
Since a 22-game run without suffering defeat, Russell Martin‘s side have lost seven of their last 15 matches, winning just six times.
Southampton have also lost their last three fixtures, succumbing to Cardiff City, Leicester City and Stoke City and conceding eight goals in the process.
Martin is now under pressure to get the Saints in a better frame of mind ahead of the playoffs, where they will play Norwich City, West Bromwich Albion or, albeit unlikely, Hull City.
Leeds United Championship form:
Southampton Championship form:
Team News
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Farke has the option of recalling Glen Kamara to his Leeds midfield with Archie Gray being shifted to right-back.
Jaidon Anthony could also be preferred to Wilfried Gnonto on the right flank, but they may prove to be the solitary alterations.
Pascal Struijk and Daniel James will each miss this contest through injury.
Southampton boss Martin will ring the changes to his side, with Flynn Downes, Adam Armstrong and Che Adams among those who should be recalled.
Joe Rothwell and Joe Aribo may also return, while Jan Bednarek is an alternative to Taylor Harwood-Bellis, but Gavin Bazunu and Stuart Armstrong are sidelined.
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Gray, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Kamara, Gruev; Anthony, Rutter, Summerville; Piroe
Southampton possible starting lineup:
McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Stephens, Bree; Smallbone, Downes, Aribo; Edozie, Adams, A.Armstrong
We say: Leeds United 2-2 Southampton
Regardless of whether automatic promotion is achievable or not, Leeds need to treat this fixture as a normal game in a bid to rediscover some form. Southampton have been poor themselves, yet we feel that the Saints will do enough to earn a share of the spoils in an entertaining encounter.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.