Leeds United take on Southampton in the Championship play-off final on Sunday at Wembley and Ross McCormack has given his prediction for the clash.
With promotion on the line, Leeds go up against Southampton in a bid to join Leicester City and Ipswich Town in the Premier League at the first attempt after beating Norwich City in the semi-final last Thursday.
Leeds are considered slight favourites having finished three points ahead of Southampton at the end of the regular season, but the Saints beat Leeds home and away including on the final day of the campaign.
Plenty have already given their predictions for the clash, with both more than capable of winning it. Troy Deeney and Graeme Souness backed Leeds to win the game, disagreeing with Simon Jordan this week.
Now, Ross McCormack has given his verdict on who comes out victorious in the capital on Sunday and he pinpointed three Leeds players that could make a difference including winger Crysencio Summerville.
Ross McCormack predicts Leeds clash against Southampton
Many have said that it depends on who turns up on the day and they could not be more right. Leeds and Southampton are equally matched, two sides boasting a lot of Premier League quality going face to face.
But McCormack told Sky Sports – as per The YEP – if Summerville, Willy Gnonto and Georginio Rutter turn up at Wembley then Leeds will beat Southampton and book their place back in the Premier League.
“To be honest with you, if their three attacking players in front of the midfield two turn up which will probably be Gnonto, Summerville and Rutter, if they turn up, I don’t see anything but a Leeds United win.
“I think they are a level above everyone in this league. They are defensively solid enough that they can let them players express themselves. If them three turn up, it will be a difficult afternoon for Southampton.”
Three key battles Leeds must win to beat Southampton
The Championship’s Player of the Season, Summerville, will need to be at his brilliant best if he is to stand any chance of getting the better of probably the best right-back in the league, in Kyle Walker-Peters.
Another of the three mentioned is Rutter, and when he plays well it does seem that Leeds play well. In the 4-0 win over Norwich, he starred and scored his eighth of the season as The Whites cruised into the final.
He will come up against Flynn Downes, Southampton’s midfield heartbeat while Will Smallbone is a man in form and it will be Glen Kamara’s job to stop him. If Leeds can win these battles, they win the game.