Leeds vs Southampton LIVE!
The Championship play-off final takes center stage at Wembley this afternoon, just 24 hours after Manchester United triumphed in a thrilling FA Cup showpiece at the home of English football. The stakes are once again sky-high for the so-called 'richest match in football', with either Leeds or Southampton securing an immediate return and rejoining Leicester and Ipswich in the Premier League.
Both second-tier heavyweights battled for automatic promotion following their respective relegations last season, but Leeds were denied on the final day and Southampton's record of 25 games unbeaten, which followed an initially difficult start under Russell Martin, was ultimately not enough as the two sides finished third and fourth respectively. But there would be no play-off hangover as Norwich and West Brom were both confidently sent into the home semi-finals after a goalless draw in the first leg.
Daniel Farke's Leeds will be without Patrick Bamford as they look to make it sixth time lucky in the play-offs, while Saints' Che Adams will give a big boost to their chances of making it three wins in a row this season on today's opponents. Follow Leeds vs Southampton live below!
Leeds vs Southampton latest news
-
Kick-off time: 3pm BST | Wembley Stadium
-
How to watch: Sky Sports
-
Leeds team news: No Bamford, Byram could play
-
Southampton team news: Adams fit for Saints
-
Score prediction
Leeds v Southampton
Finally team news! Another 15 minutes.
Russell Martin: The result at Wembley will not determine Southampton's progress
Meanwhile, Farke's Southampton counterpart Russell Martin insists today's result will not determine his side's progress.
"Externally the work we have done will be determined by the outcome. That is always the case in football, but for us I don't think that will be the case," he said.
"We all want to get there and we all want to do it now, but I don't think if we don't get the right result on Sunday it means that ultimately we have failed in the goal of reaching the Premier League. I asked.
"There are so many things we can be positive about and really look forward to, learn from and the same goes for the players, so the margin between failure and success is so small.
"Hopefully we'll be successful on Sunday. Hopefully we'll achieve what we want to achieve."
Daniel Farke wants to secure Leeds' legacy at Wembley
More than just a chance to return to the Premier League after his previous spells at Norwich, Leeds boss Daniel Farke is motivated by creating a 'legacy' at Wembley this afternoon.
"I want to work at Premier League level because for me it is the best league in the world," he said.
"This is my big motivation: to work there again and to work at an exciting club, which is very special in different ways and does things in their own way.
"If it were easy, then that's not my job. I always like challenges and something where you can create something special.
"I was never really attracted to being the 47th coach to win the 347th title for a club. I want to create something special and, if possible, create a bit of a legacy too."
Predicted lineups
Here's how Standard Sport sees both sides lining up at Wembley this afternoon, with official team news now less than an hour away...
Predicted Leeds XI: Meslier; Gray, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gruev, Kamara; Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville; Piroe
Predicted Southampton XI: McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens; Downes, Smallbone, Aribo, Brooks, Armstrong, Fraser
Leeds vs Southampton Prediction
This is a fascinating, high-profile battle between the sides who finished third and fourth respectively in the Championship this season, each of whom avoided automatic promotion to the Premier League straight away.
It's a game packed with fascinating subplots, not least Russell Martin taking on his old Norwich boss Daniel Farke in the dugout.
Play-off finals can often be very nervous and cagey, but we think this will break the trend with plenty of goals between two attacking sides eager to put on a show and prove they are ready to return to the big time. so fast.
Last year's showpiece was a thrilling affair between Coventry and Luton that went all the way to penalties and we think the same could happen here, with Leeds perhaps just moving up proceedings to avenge their back-to-back losses to the Saints and mark another return to secure the Premier League. .
Leeds win on penalties after a 2-2 draw.Southampton team news
Southampton received a huge boost this afternoon from the fitness of striker Che Adams, who was not in danger in either semi-final against West Brom due to injury.
Fellow Scottish striker Ross Stewart is also fit after a knockout, although Saints boss Russell Martin remains without goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, Juan Larios and Stuart Armstrong.
Team news from Leeds
Leeds have been given a fitness kick with striker Patrick Bamford still sidelined today with a knee problem that has seen him miss the last four games, including both legs of the play-off semi-final against Norwich.
Pascal Struijk is also absent for a long time, although Sam Byram returned to training this week after a blow and could play at Wembley.
How to watch Leeds vs Southampton
TV channel: In the UK, today's match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football. Coverage starts at 2pm BST.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also watch the match live online via the Sky Go app.
Leeds vs Southampton live
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport's live coverage of today's huge play-off final between Leeds and Southampton.
After Manchester United's stunning win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final yesterday, it promises to be another memorable afternoon at Wembley Stadium.
In the so-called 'richest match in football', one of these sides will immediately return to the promised land of the Premier League, joining champions Leicester and surprise package Ipswich in the big time.
Kick-off is at 3pm BST, so stay up to date with all the latest team news, build-up and live match updates.
This could be an absolute cracker!
