Paul Merson predicts Leeds United vs Southampton result, expects loser to be relegated
Paul Merson believes the loser between Leeds United and Southampton would likely be relegated after the two sides meet in their relegation six-pointer.
The Whites are currently in a “race against time” [talkSPORT, 22 February, 11.51am] to see whether new manager Javi Gracia can even be in the dug-out for the crucial match at Elland Road on Saturday (25 February), having largely got the job off the back of his plan for the game.
The defeat at Everton on the same day Ruben Selles took Southampton to Chelsea and won (18 February) plunged the Whites into the relegation zone just above the Saints, and Merson believes that the high-stakes nature of this meeting is going to see the two sides play out a draw, with his predicted scoreline 1-1.
In his column for Sportskeeda Merson wrote: “This is yet another massive fixture in the relegation zone. I was flabbergasted with the Chelsea result (1-0 win) last weekend. Southampton got the win against the odds.
“They were the better team in the first half. They chased everything down and worked hard. They did get a bit lucky in the second half but fair play to them, they got the win.
“Leeds United play at a 100 miles an hour irrespective of the scoreline. Whichever team loses here is likely to get relegated. You’ve got to beat the teams around you and that’s why it’s important for both sides to go all-out for the win here.
“Southampton are going into this full of confidence. The Saints performed well against the Blues and will play with belief on Saturday. But the match is likely to end in a draw.”
Anti-climax
The pressure could hardly be greater on Gracia if he is on the touchline for this one, with the Spaniard brought in almost as a desperation reaction to the loss last week.
If he is in the stands then that pressure is going to be unbearable but it will be directed at the board rather than the former Watford boss, as he won’t have had a chance to do anything yet and the circus which the Jesse Marsch succession has turned out to be will have seen another vital game go by without the replacement available.
Selles has the Saints resurgent after beating Chelsea, but that isn’t the achievement that it is some years and Marsch comprehensively dispatched Thomas Tuchel’s Blues earlier this season.
That those three teams have now seen a total of eight managers between them this season shows how fast things can change in the Premier League, and while Leeds United are without a win since before the World Cup an upturn in form whenever the new boss can get to work could completely alter the situation.
Losing to Everton, who have also changed manager from Frank Lampard to Sean Dyche, gave the Toffees six points from nine under the former Burnley man, and a similar reaction to Gracia would be more than welcome.
There is plenty within the squad to do it with, but little has been achieved with these players since November, and a defeat here will demonstrate how serious the situation has now become.
A draw isn’t very helpful for either side, but considering how damaging a loss would be there is every chance a tense meeting ends that way.
In other Leeds United news, pundit struggles to be nice about manager whose career he thinks is over after being snubbed for the Elland Road job.