Eddie Gray has previewed Sunday’s Championship play-off final between Southampton and Leeds United at Wembley and admits it is going to be a “tough” game for his beloved Whites.
The whole season boils down to one game, a shootout for promotion and the chance to win at the home of English football. Leeds came so close to finishing in the top two, but were pipped by Ipswich Town.
But after a poor end to the season, Daniel Farke has reinvigorated this Leeds side with two well-needed performances against Norwich City in the play-off semi-finals to reach the holy grail of a Wembley final.
A crucial 0-0 draw at Carrow Road that in hindsight, was probably just as important as the second-leg 4-0 win at Elland Road. After one clean sheet in eight and four losses in six, the draw saw Leeds stop the rot.
It gave Leeds the advantage in the second leg and after Ilia Gruev’s early goal, there was no looking back. The win was never in doubt and momentum is back ahead of Sunday’s final against Southampton.
But of course, Saints come into the game after a solid 3-1 win over West Brom and have the confidence of beating Leeds home and away. Leeds legend Gray previewed the match, in an interview with ITV.
Gray backs Leeds to finally get one over Southampton on Sunday
Yes, Leeds lost on both occasions to Southampton. But the first game, away at St. Mary’s was a bit of an outlier with Daniel Farke getting his team selection wrong, leaving out Joe Rodon, Archie Gray and more.
Leeds are a much-better side and Farke knows his best team, now. On the final day of the season, Leeds knew that they were heading into the play-offs after the disappointment of missing out on the top two.
Gray told ITV that it will be tough against Southampton, but backed his old side to get the job done: “One big game to go, tough. We’re going into it knowing we’re playing a side that have turned us over.
“But I think that we’ve improved a lot as the season has gone on. I think it will be a tough game, there’s no doubt about it because they’re a good side. There’s no reason why we can’t go and win the game.”
What the pundits are predicting as Leeds take on Southampton
Ally McCoist is one of the country’s most-loved pundits and commentators and he chose not to sit on the fence when giving his prediction, backing Leeds to beat Southampton but only after a penalty shootout.
Dion Dublin, by contrast, thinks Southampton will win the match and Adrian Clarke has also backed the Saints, claiming Russell Martin’s side are better coached and tactically more adept than this Leeds side.
Ultimately, it is going to be a very close affair and it will be down to whichever team turns up on the day. Leeds are capable of beating Southampton, but vice versa and hopefully Leeds get the job done.