Ben Parker has shared his prediction for Leeds United’s Championship play-off final against Southampton.
The two sides will go head-to-head at Wembley on Sunday in what is dubbed football’s richest game, as they compete for the final remaining place in next season’s Premier League.
It is looking difficult to split the teams with Southampton the only side to complete a league double over Leeds during the regular campaign, but the Whites finishing three points clear in the table.
Saints boss Russell Martin does not think the two previous results in the season will have any sort of impact this weekend after the events of both the League One and Two play-off finals.
Oxford United and Crawley Town were the sides to come out on top last weekend, having not beaten Bolton Wanderers or Crewe Alexandra in the regular season respectively.
Parker shares prediction for Leeds vs Southampton final
Amid the magnitude of the occasion, pundits from across football have been giving their predictions all week and it would be fair to say the sides cannot be separated.
Troy Deeney and Graeme Souness are among those backing Leeds to come out on top, while David Prutton is even tipping the Whites via a penalty shootout.
On the other hand, Dion Dublin and EFL pundit Adrian Clarke have predicted a Southampton win due to the style of play Martin has managed to implement.
Former Leeds defender Parker is always among the most positive supporters of the club and again on the latest episode of the LS11 Podcast, he has backed the Whites to get the job done.
He said: “Usually these games are cagey but I think it is going to be a good kind of spectacle. Will there be loads of goals? I can’t see loads of goals but I think with ourselves getting the two clean-sheets, I just think it will give us so much confidence going into it. So I’ll go 2-0 Leeds.”
Brendan Rodgers hints at ‘massive consequences’ for Sunday’s loser
The loser of Sunday’s final will be the only one of the relegated sides to not have bounced back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, after Leicester City’s top two finish.
As such, former Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers believes whoever is consigned to another season in the Championship could be in a bit of trouble this summer.
He said: “So happy for Leicester to go up, great club. A shame the club went down, Enzo’s done a great job.
“The other two clubs for the play-offs, I’ve been in that position with Swansea – it’s such a massive game, the consequences of that game are huge. I am sure it will be a really good final.”