Play-Off Final Preview: Leeds United vs Southampton
Whites face Saints in Premier League showdown.
Leeds United are just one match away from an immediate return to the Premier League as the Whites take on Southampton in the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final at Wembley.
After a gruelling 46 game regular season and semi-final success over Norwich City, it now comes down to the showpiece event in the capital, with Daniel Farkeโs having finished third in the league standings.
United booked their spot in the final after a resounding second-leg success over the Canaries on a memorable evening under the Elland Road lights.
Heading into the clash goalless after a trip to Norfolk, a whirlwind first half saw goals from Ilia Gruev, Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter fire Leeds into a three-goal lead before the break.
Quick-thinking from Gruev got the Whites off to the dream start with an inventive free kick catching Angus Gunn out at the near post.
Piroe would make it two shortly afterwards, well placed at the back post to head home Wilfried Gnontoโs dangerous cross, before Georginioโs close-range strike off the underside of the crossbar extended the lead.
๐ฅ That cross! ๐ That header! pic.twitter.com/Ijs7Mj1y43
โ Leeds United (@LUFC) May 17, 2024
Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season Crysencio Summerville added a fourth with just over 20 minutes left to play, taking the wingerโs tally to 21 in all competitions for the season, to book a first visit to the national stadium since 2008 for the club.
Southampton meanwhile head into the clash after beating West Bromwich Albion in their semi-final, thanks to a strong second-half display at St Maryโs.
Goalless after the first leg in the Midlands, Will Smallbone put Saints into the lead shortly after the break on the south coast, with forward Adam Armstrongโs late brace ensuring Cedric Kipreโs last-gasp header proved to be nothing more than a consolation for the visiting Baggies.
Action from Wembley gets underway at 3pm.
A special atmosphere at Elland Road:
๐ค ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ pic.twitter.com/gEWvfycAD5
โ Leeds United (@LUFC) May 19, 2024
The pitch is for the players and the stands are for spectators:
No matter what stage of the season we are at, people must respect that the pitch is for players and stands are for spectators.
It is against the law to enter the pitch at any time and anyone who does so will face a ban and police action.
Recent pitch incursions have brought football bans, police prosecution and criminal records - this can impact employment, education and international travel.
Everybody should feel safe at football but pitch incursions endanger everyone because at the time it is impossible to tell the difference between celebration and an attack.
Entering the pitch will likely also result in penalties for the Club, so do not spoil it for the team or other fans.
From fans, to stewards to players, we all have a role to play in keeping each other safe on matchdays.
We need to protect each other, the Club and the game.
How to watch:
The match is available to Watch Live in selected territories. Live audio commentary is available worldwide with Bryn Law and club legend Tony Dorigo for monthly audio subscribers, which includes video build up at video.leedsunited.com. Buy your match pass HERE.
Supporters can also follow all the updates live on leedsunited.com with our online blog throughout the match.
The match has also been selected for live television coverage within the UK, on Sky Sports. For further information on how to watch the game across the rest of the world, please see our โHow to Watchโ guide on leedsunited.com, ahead of kick-off!
Behind the scenes of our semi-final:
๐ฌ ๐จ๐ป๐ฐ๐๐: ๐ข๐ต, ๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ ๐ก๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐!
Head to YouTube and go behind-the-scenes of Thursday's play-off semi-final win at Elland Road with @HisenseUKโ Leeds United (@LUFC) May 19, 2024
Important supporter information:
Discriminatory language or chanting is not acceptable and you could be breaking the law. The club condemns this behaviour and has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination abuse of all kinds.
Tough measures and sanctions are in place across all English football leagues to tackle dangerous and illegal behaviours within football grounds, and this involves but is not limited to, discriminatory behaviour, tragedy chanting, fans entering the pitch, the use of pyros and throwing objects.
More information about Wembley Stadium, including travel advice and food and drink options in and around the stadium can be found HERE.
What has Daniel Farke said, ahead of the match:
๐๏ธ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฒ-๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐: ๐ฃ๐น๐ฎ๐-๐ข๐ณ๐ณ ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐น
Daniel Farke talks with the media ahead of Sundayโs final against Southampton https://t.co/7Cj2DxQdCyโ Leeds United (@LUFC) May 24, 2024
Head to head:
Wins: 48
Draws: 22
Losses: 30
Top scorer 2023/24:
Leeds: Crysencio Summerville (21)
Southampton: Adam Armstrong (23)
League position:
Leeds: 3rd
Southampton: 4th
Memories against Southampton:
โช ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ: ๐ฆ๐ผ๐๐๐ต๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐๐ผ๐ป pic.twitter.com/jcXx4sb3pF
โ Leeds United (@LUFC) May 22, 2024
Officials:
Referee - John Brooks
Assistant Referees - Simon Bennett, Daniel Robathan
Fourth Official - Tony Harrington
Video Assistant Referee - Jarred Gillett
Additional Video Assistant Referee - Darren Cann