LEEDS UNITED and Southampton were the third and fourth best teams in the Championship this season so it's fitting they do battle at Wembley for a game dubbed the richest match in football.
The winners of the play-off will earn anything up to £250 million according to a recent financial report and both sides have recent experience of being in the Premier League – they were both relegated last season.
This has the potential of a cracker with both sides coming through tough semi-finals to reach the showpiece final. Leeds absolutely blew Norwich City away at Elland Road after a goalless first leg at Carrow Road and swept to a 4-0 win in a brilliant atmosphere.
But Southampton were equally as impressive as they returned to St Mary's after goalless draw at West Brom too. They battered the Baggies 3-1 to make it through.
Leeds did finish three points ahead in the table, but they threw automatic promotion away by losing three out of their last four games, including a last day encounter with Sunday's opponents where they lost at home.
However, Saints also lost three games in a row before they faced Leeds.
How the bookies view it: Leeds backed
Leeds United at the bookies' favourites here with bet365 going 11/8 compared to 2/1 for a Southampton win. The draw is 9/4.
Leeds are odds-on at 8/11 to win the tie and Saints 11/10.
Recent head to heads: Saints have edge
As stated Southampton won at Leeds on the last day of the season to ensure the Yorkshire side had to settle for a play-off spot. And they also won 3-1 back in September.
Players to watch:
Dutch striker Joel Piroe grabbed his 16th goal of the season against Norwich City. He is 15/8 to score anytime on Sunday.
Adam Armstrong has enjoyed an excellent campaign and his double against WBA was his 23rd goal of a productive season for Saints. He is 9/4 to score anytime at the national stadium and given he takes the penalties too, that could be a solid investment.
Probable line-ups:
Pascal Struijk is ruled out with a groin injury for Leeds United, while Patrick Banford faces a race against the clock to recover from a knee injury.
Gavin Bazunu and Stuart Armstrong are both ruled out with long-term injuries.
Leeds United: Meslier; Byram, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gray, Gruev, Kamara; Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville.
Southampton: McCarthy; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens; Walker-Peters, Smallbone, Downes, Aribo, Manning; Adams, Armstrong.
Anything else catch the eye?
These sides have been locked together for the past two seasons in two different leages and it may take extra time or even penalties to separate them on Sunday.
The draw in 90 minutes looks the sensible call herewith two sides who drew a combined total of 18 times this season.
As often happens with games of this magnitude on such a stage, it will doubtless be a tight, nervy affair between two teams who both believe belong in the Premier League,
There were six bookings in the last meeting at Elland Road and that game was only three weeks ago. And there were five in the first game too, so there's no love lost here.
Both teams to receive at least two each at 4/6 with bet365 looks nailed on.
This England Championship match between Leeds United and Southampton will be played on May 26, 2024 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Leeds United vs Southampton prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
