Simon Jordan has predicted the outcome of the play-offs.
The former Crystal Palace chairman was talking on his talkSPORT show with Jim White on Friday morning, with the pair discussing Leeds United’s triumph over Norwich City before turning their attention to the clash between Southampton and West Brom.
Leeds secured their place in the Wembley final on 26th May in emphatic fashion, beating Norwich 4-0 at Elland Road having drawn the first leg 0-0.
That defeat saw Norwich sack manager David Wagner but it is unlikely whichever manager loses between Southampton and West Brom will pay with their job.
Both sides also played out a 0-0 draw in the first leg, so it is all to play for at St Mary’s.
Jordan has nailed his colours to the mast, predicting not just the winner of the Friday night affair but also the final in just over a week.
Simon Jordan predicts Southampton play-off triumph
Southampton have the advantage of playing the second leg at home due to the fact they finished above the Baggies in the regular season.
This makes Russell Martin‘s side favourites, with the St Mary’s crowd likely to play a huge part.
Leeds showed the benefit this can bring at Elland Road on Thursday night and Southampton should look to Daniel Farke’s side’s success after also drawing the first leg 0-0 as an example to follow.
Jordan was confident in the south coast club’s chances on Friday, before tipping them to also beat Leeds for the third time this season in the final, as he said: “I think Southampton will win tonight against West Brom and I think Southampton will beat Leeds in the final.”
Southampton must utilise home crowd v West Brom
Southampton supporters have been encouraged to arrive at the ground early, with the intention that the team bus arrives just after 6pm to a swathe of red and white home support.
The players have highlighted how much of a boost the fans can give the side this week and the St Mary’s crowd are sure to bring a lively atmosphere in arguably Southampton’s biggest game since the Carabao Cup final in 2017.
In the first leg at The Hawthorns, West Brom fans did similar and it resulted in an incredibly fast start for their side as Southampton had to defend doggedly against an early onslaught.
They were resolute and weathered the storm but the onus will now be on Southampton themselves to come out the blocks flying at St Mary’s and really ride the wave of the atmosphere, getting the fans involved at every opportunity.
It is sure to be some night and Southampton fans will have everything crossed that Jordan’s prediction comes true.