Robbie Savage makes Leeds United v Southampton prediction, ‘all the logic says’
Robbie Savage is backing Leeds United to beat Southampton in the Championship playoff final despite “all the logic” suggesting the Saints will triumph.
Russell Martin’s men defeated Leeds twice in the regular season and the Whites have failed to go up via the playoffs in five previous attempts.
Still, though, Savage is expecting Daniel Farke and his team to be celebrating at Wembley at the end of Sunday’s (26 May) final against Southampton.
“Leeds lost home and away against Southampton during the regular Championship season and they have never been promoted via the playoffs in five attempts,” Savage wrote in the Daily Mirror’s print edition (25 May, page 63).
“So, it all points to Southampton winning tomorrow’s £200milliom shoot-out at Wembley for a place in the Premier League, right?
“Yes, that’s what all the logic says. And that’s why I’m tipping…Leeds.”
Can Leeds United end playoff hoodoo against Southampton at Wembley?
Okay, so yes there are two simple facts at play here.
The Saints defeated Leeds twice in the Championship this season and the Whites have an abysmal record in their previous playoff campaigns.
But none of that will matter when the whistle is blown at Wembley on Saturday as tens of thousands of Leeds fan roar their team on in the capital in the hope that by the time they make the long journey back to West Yorkshire they will be a Premier League side once again.
It is a one-off game, a 50-50 fixture and Farke and his men have absolutely no reason to believe they cannot be the ones celebrating in front of their supporters come full time.
There will be some nerves along the way, that is to be expected in a playoff final. But forget logic, this is a final and anything can happen. Leeds can absolutely get the job done on Sunday.
In other Leeds United news, one player is being readied for an £11.9m sale with goodbyes already said.
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