Leeds could lose Championship record if Sky Sports pundit is proved right
David Prutton has predicted a 3-1 away victory for Leeds United ahead of their trip to St Mary’s Stadium, with his prediction suggesting the Whites will lose a Championship record.
Writing for Sky Sports (28 September), the pundit noted the significant pressure on Saints boss Russell Martin after his early season efforts have led his side to just 15th in the second division.
Prutton heaped praise on Leeds’ attacking options, calling them a “joy to behold” and suggested that Daniel Farke’s side could run away with a victory, but would suffer a setback in the form of a Saints goal. Should his prediction come to fruition, Leeds will lose their clean sheet streak, currently the longest in the Championship with four games without Illan Meslier having to fish the ball from his net.
Prutton wrote: “Russell Martin is under real pressure now. Four defeats on the bounce is unacceptable for Southampton in this league. Even if it is early days. They don’t seem to be learning their lessons in defence, either.
“Leeds will be keen to capitalise. Their front four in full flow is a joy to behold, and if there is an early goal it could get messy at St Mary’s. Away win. Prediction: 1-3″
Prutton is most likely right on the money in predicting a convincing Leeds United victory against the struggling Saints.
However, Leeds fans may be disappointed to see Prutton predict that Southampton will score a goal, with Farke’s side hoping this clash will be their fifth consecutive clean sheet.
After a slow start to the season, empathic wins and clean sheets against Millwall and Watford have truly announced the Whites as a title-challenging side, with the likes of Sunderland and Preston looking over their shoulders in fear of Farke’s much-improved outfit.
The front line too has been in fine form, with Georginio Rutter and Joel Piroe contributing to the high-scoring Leeds side with two goals and four goals respectively.
Now is the opportune time to face the Saints. Four consecutive defeats, including a 5-0 thumping from Sunderland and a 2-1 defeat to fellow strugglers Middlesbrough, have served to add even more pressure to Martin.
The Saints likely set out at the start of this season in a bid to return to the Premier League straight away, but another loss against a promotion chaser will make this tough task near impossible.
But Daniel Farke and Leeds fans will be unsympathetic to Southampton’s woes and another three points will solidify the Whites’ position in the playoff spots. While the three points is the most important thing at the full-time whistle, Farke would be disappointed to lose his long-standing record in the unpredictable Championship.
In other Leeds United news, Brendan Rodgers has shared a Matt O’Riley update at Celtic after a multi-million Elland Road move.