Matt Le Tissier shares ‘incredible’ verdict ahead of Leeds United Premier League clash v Southampton
Matt Le Tissier believes whoever wins Saturday’s Premier League clash between Leeds United and Southampton will have an “incredible amount of belief” that they can beat the drop.
The Saints travel to Elland Road bottom of the Premier League table but are coming off an impressive 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Le Tissier has suggested the game “will probably” end up in a draw so that both teams are still in with a chance of securing their Premier League status.
“If we beat Leeds on Saturday, the whole club will feel a hell of a lot different about our chances of staying up. Before the Chelsea game, I think everyone was down in the dumps and had resigned themselves to it,” said Le Tissier (Daily Echo, 24 February).
“If you win at Chelsea and back that up with another result at Leeds, all of a sudden the season looks a bit brighter. It’s a huge game, it’s the proverbial six-pointer if there ever was one.
“I think the team that wins that game will have an incredible amount of belief that they can get out of trouble – so it will probably end up in a draw so both teams are still in the fight!”
Must not lose
Although Saturday’s fixture has been billed as a must-win for Leeds, it’s a fixture they can ill afford to lose. It’s an outcome which cannot be contemplated in the slightest. A draw will keep Southampton embroiled deep in the relegation battle and leave Javi Gracia’s side within touching distance of safety.
It’s certainly a baptism of fire for the new head coach. He’s being thrown straight in at the deep end and has to get some sort of reaction out of the players. Their performance against Everton was extremely concerning and if it’s repeated on Saturday (25 February), they will find themselves at the foot of the Premier League table come the evening.
A loss against Southampton won’t relegate Leeds, but with teams fast improving around them, it will certainly make life extremely tough. Gracia’s men would need to put a run of wins together, which hasn’t seemed likely all season. The board are still awaiting a work permit for their new boss, who could still yet miss the fixture against Ruben Selles’ side.
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