Championship play-off final preview – Marching On or In to the Premier League?

We’re just days away from one of the most exciting and significant matches in English football, the Championship Play-Off Final, which takes place on Sunday at Wembley.

Often referred to as the ‘richest game in football’, this high-stakes contest promises more than just bragging rights and glory; it will land the winning team a coveted spot in the Premier League as well as a cash windfall that could change its entire future. Below is a glimpse of what to expect when Southampton and Leeds United square off at Wembley.

Leeds and Southampton have faced off twice this season in the Championship, with Southampton coming out on top on both occasions. They secured a 3-1 victory at home and, more impressively, a 2-1 win at Elland Road on the final day of the season. Despite these results, Southampton are the 11/10 outsiders for the play-off final, while Leeds are favoured at 4/6, likely due to the clinical finishing they displayed in their semi-final win.

Leeds United – 4/6

Leeds United were in rampant form in the second leg of their semi-final against Norwich. They entered the game with some nerves following a first-leg draw, but these soon vanished when they took an early lead after just seven minutes.

Leeds United had four different goalscorers in their 4-0 victory with the likes of Ilia Gruev, Joël Piroe, Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville all getting on the scoresheet and, three of them look likely to do so again. Joël Piroe (9/4) and Crysencio Summerville (9/4) lead the market with Georginio Rutter (5/2) trailing slightly behind to be a goalscorer for Leeds anytime in the final.

Southampton – 11/10

Southampton finished fourth in the league, only three points adrift of Leeds in the normal season. Throughout the year, the Saints have been consistent and their attackers have excelled themselves in front of goal, namely Adam Armstrong and Che Adams, who have racked up 41 goals between them. They are both 15/8 to get their name on the scoresheet at Wembley.

Southampton, in the same fashion to Leeds, went into the second leg of their semi-finals off the back of a 0-0 draw. It took them all of 49 minutes in the second leg to take the lead, but once they did there was no looking back and, apart from a consolation goal, it seemed to be business as usual to end the game 3-1. As said previously, Adam Armstrong is in a rich vein of form in front of goal and bagged two in the second half. If Armstrong is to start as well as he finished, 5/1 to be the first goalscorer seems a good price.

Prediction

Last year’s Championship play-off final was a dramatic affair, with Luton Town beating Coventry on penalties. This Sunday’s final could be similarly poised for a shoot-out for the all-important Premier League spot. Both Leeds and Southampton are 10/1 to win on penalties at Wembley, a tempting bet given the likelihood of a tightly contested match. Considering their attacking strengths, 8/11 for both teams to score seems like good value given their respective offensive capabilities coupled with the fact that it will be a game they’ll both throw the kitchen sink at.