Leeds United have one more challenge in their 2023/24 season: the Championship Play-Off more. Will Daniel Farke’s squad defeat Southampton and win promotion to the Premier League?
On Sunday, a wave of excitement and anxieties will descend upon the city from West Yorkshire as Leeds United face the Championship Play-Off final, the most important encounter of their long, tortuous 2023/24 season to far.
Only three weeks ago, United completed their 46-game season at Elland Road, securing their third-place finish with a disappointing 2-1 loss to Southampton. If promotion was to be earned, it would be through the dreaded showdown system.
Russell Martin’s team finished fourth, so both teams were kept separated on opposing ends of the mini tournament tree. Both eventually qualified for Sunday’s final in similar circumstances, with Daniel Farke’s side defeating Norwich City 4-0 in the second leg following a goalless first meeting, and the Saints winning 3-1 against West Brom after drawing 0-0 in the first leg.
It’s been ten days since the last semi-final, so Farke has had plenty of time to prepare his team for a challenge that sends contradictory messages. On the one hand, their opponents won both regular league games this year, yet Leeds’ victory rate of 48 percent versus the Saints is higher than against any other team they have faced more than 100 times in history.
The manager has also had the advantage of not having any new fitness issues to contend with in the buildup to the Wembley meeting. In fact, there is a boost as Sam Byram seeks to get engaged.
“We had some minor issues during this back, but each and every player will be available,” Farke stated in his Friday update, adding that long-term absentees Patrick Bamford and Pascal Struijk will not be included in the squad. In comparison to Southampton, they are likely to be missing Stuart Armstrong, Gavin Bazunu, and Juan Larios in London.
So, ultimately, Farke’s team decision should be based on a few things. Who has maintained their red-hot form following the 4-0 thrashing of Norwich? Do the few injuries still imply that specific portions of the team chose themselves? Should he consider the prospect of a penalty shootout before the match? These are just a few examples of how much pressure the coach is under for the £140 million fixture.
Having said that, there appears to be no need for the manager to disrupt the cohesion and change the lineup that has led the club to its current position. That devastating front four were unplayable, the midfield two performed admirably – and Ilia Gruev even scored – and the backline, with the exception of one Ethan Ampadu error, which was corrected by Illan Meslier, appeared solid throughout.
Yes, a penalty strategy can be devised, but the match must be won in 90 minutes, therefore here is how Leeds United could line up for the 2024 Championship Play-Off Final:
Illan Meslier; Archie Gray, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Junior Firpo; Ilia Gruev, Glen Kamara; Wilfried Gnonto, Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville; Joel Piroe
