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Joleon Lescott predicts outcome of Leeds United Premier League clash v Southampton
Leeds United will face Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday at Elland Road (25 February), and Joleon Lescott expects the home side to win this “huge” game down at the bottom.
After a frantic search, the Whites finally appointed a new manager, Javi Gracia, early this week, and Lescott, who also works for BT Sport, feels that the “new manager effect” will help them secure a 2-0 win against the Saints.
Southampton lie rock bottom in the Premier League but they will be confident ahead of this game after picking up a 1-0 win against Chelsea away from home last week.
“Another huge game down at the bottom. And if Javi Gracia is going to keep Leeds out of trouble, these kind of games are important,” said Lescott to LiveScore.
“Southampton keep plucking the odd win out of nowhere but they’ve lacked consistency all season, so can they really go to Elland Road and make it back-to-back victories?
“Given the new manager effect, I’ll opt for a home win. Prediction: Leeds United 2-0 Southampton.”
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Massive
The Whites are now without a win in their last four games, losing three of them.
Initially, the club wanted to stick with Michael Skubala, but the experiment didn’t last long. Following their 1-0 defeat against Everton, the club felt the urgency to appoint a new manager.
They should have done it earlier, but anyway, Gracia still has 15 games to turn it around. Leeds find themselves 19th in the league table, and they have to win games at home if they are looking to survive.
It is really frustrating to see that the Whites are struggling so badly in the league. The club spent heavily in the last two transfer windows, and they have assembled a very good squad. They shouldn’t be in this position in the first place.
A few wins on the trot, however, will change the atmosphere around the stadium. It can be seen as a relegation six-pointer, but the new manager effect could galvanize the team to secure a much-needed win.
In other Leeds United news, the club are now leading the race to sign an in-demand young attacking talent from a European giant.