Former Southampton striker Rickie Lambert has predicted who he thinks will win the Championship play-off final this weekend.
Lambert is a legend at Southampton, having secured his placed in the south coast club’s folklore by scoring the goals to secure consecutive promotions which took the Saints from League One to the Premier League.
The striker continued to score goals in the top flight before earning England recognition and securing a dream move to hometown club Liverpool; for which not even the most staunch Southampton fan could begrudge him.
Lambert was a guest on Alan Brazil and Gabby Agbonlahor’s talkSPORT radio show on Thursday morning and offered his view on the Wembley final at which he will be present.
Rickie Lambert predicts tight game between Southampton and Leeds
Lambert scored an incredible 117 goals in 235 Southampton appearances, according to Transfermarkt, after joining from Bristol Rovers in 2009 and Saints fans will be delighted to hear he will be cheering the team on at Wembley.
The Scouse striker spoke of his excitement for the clash, as he said: “What a game. I can’t wait for it.”
He then gave his thoughts on how the game will play out, predicting: “It’s a tough game. It’s a tough game to call, it’s a 50-50 game.”
“I think Leeds have got some unbelievable match-winning players but the way Saints played second-half [against West Brom] to get to this final, if they play anything like that, then I think they’ll do it.”
With Southampton having beat Leeds in both league games this season, you could argue they have the edge.
However, Leeds boast the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Joel Piroe, who are all very capable of providing a moment of magic.
Southampton will have to defend resolutely and try and take control of the game to settle into their possession-dominant style on a big Wembley pitch.
If they can do that, then they have every chance of success.
Southampton players have opportunity to join Lambert as club legend
If Southampton are successful in securing a return to the Premier League on Sunday, whoever scores in the final will be a part of the club’s history forever.
Southampton manager Russell Martin will hope he can put his name alongside the likes of Nigel Adkins and Lawrie McMenemy, with the former leading the club to consecutive promotions in the early 2010s and the latter overseeing the club’s only FA Cup win in 1976.
The event itself is sure to be incredible in its own right, but no one wants to be a loser at Wembley.
The likes of Adam Armstrong, Che Adams and Ross Stewart will all be dreaming of scoring the goal that takes Southampton to the Premier League, but it could be anyone that has a moment that sees them cement themselves in club folklore.