Graeme Souness, Troy Deeney and Simon Jordan have all shared their prediction for the play-off final between Leeds United and Southampton.
The two sides will go head-to-head at Wembley on Sunday for a chance to take the final remaining place in next season’s Premier League, having both been relegated together 12 months ago.
After finishing third and fourth respectively during the regular season, this is the right final in the eyes of many with OPTA’s supercomputer predicting both to come through their semi-finals.
Both teams still have a number of Premier League standard players in their ranks and so it is all setup to be an enthralling final that could go either way.
Southampton were actually the only side to complete a league double over Leeds this season, and so Daniel Farke will be hoping it is third time lucky at Wembley this weekend.
Graeme Souness, Deeney and Jordan all predict Leeds vs Southampton final
In what is dubbed the richest game in football, several pundits have been giving their predictions ahead of the game on Sunday.
David Prutton and Ally McCoist are among those backing Leeds to win via a penalty shootout, while Robbie Savage is also predicting a Whites victory.
On the other hand, Dion Dublin and EFL pundit Adrian Clarke are both tipping Southampton to get the job done due to Russell Martin’s superior style of play.
And now on the latest episode of the ‘Up Front Podcast‘, Souness, Deeney and Jordan have all shared who they think is going to come out on top this weekend.
Souness said: “I’m going Leeds,” before Deeney agreed, “I’m going Leeds.”
Jordan then responded: “I’m going Southampton. There is something about Russell Martin. He was so exasperated after Southampton got done by Cardiff and I thought to myself I wonder if you can recover your poise.
“I wonder if you are really going to fall apart. And the fact that he’s been able to grip the nettle, and get them through the play offs [is impressive].”
Crysencio Summerville eyeing key Kyle Walker-Peters battle
One of the biggest individual battles on Sunday undoubtedly comes down Leeds’ left-hand-side, as Crysencio Summerville comes up against Saints right-back Kyle Walker-Peters.
Both players are undoubtedly rated as the best in their position in the Championship but it is Walker-Peters who came out on top in both league meetings.
On top of keeping Summerville quiet, Walker-Peters provided an assist at St. Mary’s and Elland Road, but the Leeds winger says he is really looking forward to testing himself against him again.
He said: “He’s one of the best right-backs in the Championship and was in the Team of the Season as well. I like to challenge myself against the best, so I’m looking forward to the duel.”