David Prutton has predicted penalties will be needed to separate Leeds United and Southampton in the Championship play-off final.
The two sides will go head-to-head at Wembley on Sunday for the final remaining place in next season’s Premier League, as they look to join both Leicester City and Ipswich Town.
In many people’s eyes this feels like the correct final as Leeds and Southampton finished third and fourth respectively during the regular season, having been on the tails of the top two for most of the year.
Certainly OPTA’s supercomputer had both teams as the favourites to win their semi-finals, with Leeds managing to overcome Norwich City, and Southampton beating West Bromwich Albion.
This game will represent Leeds and Southampton’s final chance at securing an immediate return to the Premier League, having both been relegated 12 months ago.
Prutton predicts Leeds vs Southampton penalty shootout winner
Prutton is not the first pundit to have predicted Sunday’s final to go all the way to penalties, with Ally McCoist doing the same in his backing of Leeds.
On the other hand, Dion Dublin is tipping the Saints to get the job done without the need for penalties due to being a big fan of Russell Martin’s style of play.
Leeds will have to do something they did not manage during the regular season if they are to win promotion, and that quite simply is beat Southampton.
Southampton were the only side to complete a league double over Leeds, with their most recent meeting actually coming on the final day at the beginning of this month.
Prutton – who played for both teams during his playing days – gave his prediction ahead of the weekend on Sky Sports earlier today, backing Leeds to win a high-scoring penalty shootout.
He said: “I have just waxed lyrical about Leeds but I love Southampton fans as well. My family are split, my friends are split, they support each. I think Leeds will squeeze through on penalties 10-9.”
Leeds vs Southampton’s historical shootout record compared
Over the course of Leeds’ history, they have actually been involved in 16 penalty shootouts, the most recent of which actually came this season, as per LUFC Data.
Leeds’ overall record in such scenarios reads seven wins and nine defeats, though they have actually lost three of their last four, including the one in August at Salford City, 9-8. Georginio Rutter and Jamie Shackleton were the men to miss that night.
According to transfermarkt, meanwhile, Southampton have had just 10 shootouts across the history of their club, winning five, and losing five.