Shaka Hislop predicts Leeds United showdown v Southampton in Championship play-off final
Leeds United have been backed to “only just” beat Southampton in the Championship play-off final by former Newcastle, West Ham and Portsmouth goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.
Speaking on ESPN FC, Hislop previewed the second-tier decider on 26 May and said that the 4-0 win over Norwich at Elland Road in their semi-final second leg makes them the favourite.
Hislop acknowledged that any victory for the Whites would come via narrow margins though, with Leeds having lost both of their regular-season league games against Southampton earlier this season.
In quotes reported by the Southern Daily Echo, Hislop said: “Leeds pushed Leicester and Ipswich for a lot of this season.
“They just fell away at the end. That was a little bit of a concern for me. But then in the second leg against Norwich, I thought they played wonderfully well and regained their mojo.
“I think Leeds are a better team than Southampton. They will get the job done, but only just.”
Leeds United must overturn poor record against Southampton
Leeds United go into the play-off final with two huge burdens to overcome – the game may start at 0-0, but their recent form against Southampton and their historic record in the play-offs does not make for good reading.
The Whites have been defeated 3-1 and 2-1 respectively by Southampton already this season, the most recent of which came on the final day of the regular campaign at Elland Road in a below-par performance.
To add to that, Daniel Farke’s side also have 37 years of unwanted history to overcome, having failed to achieve promotion in five previous play-off campaigns between 1987 and 2019.
Farke’s Peacocks did return to form in stunning fashion with a 4-0 demolition of Norwich City at Elland Road in the second semi-final but may need to hit an even higher gear if they’re to turn over a side who have had their number in both prior meetings this season.
If Leeds are to make good on Hislop’s prediction and beat Southampton at Wembley, they’ll need to bring the atmosphere which roared them to a confidence-boosting and potentially season-defining victory at Elland Road on 16 May.
In other Leeds United news, Patrick Bamford has made a new admission about Elland Road after the win over Norwich City.
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