Robbie Savage is the latest commentator to make his prediction for the Championship play-off final between Leeds United and Southampton.
The two sides will face off at Wembley Stadium on Sunday for the final berth in next season’s Premier League.
OPTA’s supercomputer predicted Leeds and Southampton to reach the final, and both teams delivered with convincing semi-final victories.
Leeds beat Norwich City 4-0 in the second leg last Thursday, while Southampton defeated West Bromwich Albion 24 hours later.
Despite finishing three points behind Leeds in the regular season, the Saints were the only team to achieve a league double over Daniel Farke’s men.
Savage reveals his prediction for Leeds vs Southampton.
Several analysts have already made predictions for Sunday’s encounter, including Ally McCoist, who believes Leeds will win on penalties.
Dion Dublin, on the other hand, has picked Southampton to win because he admires the way Russell Martin has managed the club this season.
Given that both teams were relegated together 12 months ago, this could be the highest-quality play-off final in several years.
They will also be anxious for a speedy return to the Premier League in order to avoid the 10% reduction in parachute payments that occurs in the second season following relegation.
Former Leicester City midfielder Savage, appearing on the current episode of the ‘On Another Planet Podcast’, believes Leeds will win.
He said: “Southampton’s style may work well on the big Wembley pitch, but I believe Leeds’ attacking threat will be too much for them.” “I would rather see Leeds in the Premier League than Southampton as a neutral.”
Who is the referee for Leeds vs Southampton?
John Brooks will be the referee for Sunday’s final, and it is fair to say that Leeds has a poor record with him in charge.
The last Leeds game Brooks officiated was against Southampton in September, when the Whites were convincingly thrashed 3-1. It is also the only Championship game he has officiated this season.
VAR will be used on Sunday, just as it was in the League One and Two finals over the weekend, and has been for such circumstances since May 2022.
Jarred Gillett, the referee who officiated Leeds’ semi-final victory over Norwich, will take command of VAR at PGMOL’s Stockley Park headquarters.
