Robbie Savage believes Leeds United will overcome Southampton in the Championship playoff final, despite “all logic” pointing to the Saints’ victory.
Russell Martin’s men defeated Leeds twice during the regular season, and the Whites had failed to advance through the playoffs in five prior attempts.
Still, Savage expects Daniel Farke and his team to celebrate at Wembley Stadium at the end of Sunday’s (May 26) final versus 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, all signs go to Southampton winning tomorrow’s £200 million shootout at Wembley for a spot in the Premier League, right?
“That is exactly what the reasoning suggests. “That is why I am tipping Leeds.”
Can Leeds United break their playoff hoodoo against Southampton at Wembley?
Okay, there are two simple realities at play here.
The Saints defeated Leeds twice in the Championship this season, and the Whites had a dismal record in past playoff appearances.
But none of that will matter when the whistle blows at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, as tens of thousands of Leeds fans cheer their team on in the capital, hoping that by the time they return to West Yorkshire, they will have reclaimed their Premier League status.
It’s a one-off game, a 50-50 match, and Farke and his team have no reason to assume they won’t be celebrating in front of their fans at the end.
There will be anxieties along the way, as is to be expected in a playoff final. But ignore logic; this is the finale, and anything may happen. Leeds can certainly complete the job on Sunday.
