Former Leeds United and Southampton midfielder David Prutton predicts the Whites will defeat the Saints on penalties in the Championship play-off final on May 26.
Prutton told Sky Sports’ Rob Wootton that he expected the Wembley final to be full of expansive play but come down to the wire.
Leeds advanced to the final after defeating Norwich City 4-0 in the second leg of their semi-final at Elland Road, but they now face Southampton, who have already beaten them twice this season.
Prutton predicted the match as follows: “We talk about how cagey these games can be, but there’s something in me that says this one will be a little more expansive.
“They have failed to advance in five play-off campaigns. Leeds fans can preserve their confidence because the duck will eventually break.
“I think Leeds squeeze through on penalties, 10-9.”
Can Leeds United finally break their playoff jinx?
Leeds’ promotion play-off campaigns in both the second and third divisions have resulted in five attempts and five failures, with the sixth coming this weekend against Southampton.
Daniel Farke’s team has done more than enough to get promoted in nearly any other season in second-tier history, but the fate of their entire campaign now depends on just 90 (or 120+) minutes at Wembley Stadium.
The Peacocks cannot afford to lose their unbeaten record for most of the season, and after recapturing the best of their attacking flair in the semi-finals, Prutton feels they will fight toe-to-toe with Southampton throughout the final.
Prutton appeared for the Whites in the third of those five play-off heartbreaks, beginning in the 2008 League One final, where Leeds’ terrible performance resulted in a 1-0 loss to Doncaster Rovers.
Semi-final defeats in the third and second levels followed in 2009 and 2019, respectively, but after defeating Norwich in fine style at Elland Road, Leeds must be confident they can now finish the job on May 26 – even if it means a penalty shoot-out.
