Southampton are preparing for the biggest game of their season as they face Leeds United in the Championship play-off final on Sunday.
The two sides will go head to head for the third time this season, with Southampton boasting two wins from two so far.
The most recent of those wins was just three weeks ago, which could give Southampton a psychological edge over Leeds at Wembley.
Controversially, Leeds do have the luxury of being the ‘home’ side at the neutral venue due to finishing above Southampton in the league which means they will get to wear their home colours in the showpiece event.
The What The EFL?! podcast have been previewing the final, with former player Sam Parkin explaining the concern he has for Southampton in the final.
Sam Parkin issues warning to Russell Martin
Whilst Russell Martin has twice devised a winning plan against Leeds this season, the Saints boss will still be very wary of their final opponents.
Leeds boast incredible firepower for this level, with Crysencio Summerville, Joel Piroe, Georginio Rutter and Dan James all options even with Patrick Bamford set to miss out through injury.
This, combined with Southampton’s defensive record is a cause for concerning in the view of Parkin, who said: “They’ll have to be at their best defensively. That’s the one thing I worry about with Southampton”
He went on to highlight a major issue, stating: “In open play – and I know that they’ve improved a little bit in this – but in open play across the season they’ve let in 54 goals, Leeds have let in 29.
“That’s a massive difference. So that would be the concern. If they don’t defend brilliantly high up the pitch then that Leeds front four could really hurt them.”
Leeds win a turning point for Southampton defensively
Ironically, it is since Martin made a switch to a back three in the final day win over Leeds that Southampton have actually looked a lot more solid defensively.
Having primarily played a 4-3-3 formation this season, Martin changed to a 3-5-2 in the 2-1 win at Elland Road to put an end to a run of three consecutive defeats that included a 5-0 hammering courtesy of Leicester City.
Southampton again set up in a 3-5-2 away at West Brom in the first leg of their play-off semi-final as they defended resolutely to take a 0-0 draw back to St Mary’s.
In the home tie, Southampton started with a back four but switched between the two systems throughout the game, only conceding in the 97th-minute from a set piece as they won 3-1.
Martin will hope his side continue to defend well at Wembley, with keeping Summerville quiet likely to be particularly important to their chances of victory.