England Premier League
Saturday 25th February 2023
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: Elland Road
Match Preview:
Leeds have finally settled on Javi Gracia as their new manager and he will be recongnisable to the Premier League having managed Watford back in 2018. Ironically his first game as Watford manager was against Southampton just like it could be this weekend. Could be because there is a possibility that Gracia’s work permit will not come through on time.
Leeds need Gracia’s appointment to mark a new chapter as they use the final roll of the dice and will try to get back to winning ways here. It is 19th v 20th so a huge six pointer is on the cards and for Leeds form has been bleak with just 2 points earned from their last 15 and 3 defeats from their last 4. Last weekend Leeds lost 1-0 at Everton who have also been struggling this season but the club were completely outplayed and the score should have been bigger. Despite the misery at the club a win at the weekend could well see them climb out of the bottom three so there is plenty to play for. At home this season they have won 3 lost 4 and drawn 4 and recent form has seen the club lose one from their last three games with draws coming against West Ham and Brentford.
Southampton are bottom of the Premier League and they recently sacked Nathan Jones. Ruben Selles has come in to coach the club on a short term contract until the end of the season. Selles had been the assistant to Ralph Hasenhuttl previously but was overlooked in favour of Jones. Last weekend provided one of the shocks of the season as the Saints who have lost 15 games so far went to Chelsea and beat them 1-0. It was actually the clubs 4th win away from home so far and the problems have been at home with just one win in the campaign.
Team News:
Leeds: Liam Cooper remains at 50/50 to return from a muscle injury, Adam Forshaw is out with his hip as is Archie Gray who is still struggling with his ankle. Marc Roca is expected to miss out again with a muscle injury. Rodrigo looks set to miss out for the next 4-5 weeks due to his ankle injury, Luis Sinisterra is a major doubt to return with a muscle strain. Pascal Struijk will be assessed because of a head injury but is being tipped to return and Maxmillian Wober has a shoulder injury and will be assessed.
Southampton: Che Adams will be assessed due to a knock which seen him miss out last weekend. There are long term injuries to Valentino Livramento and Juan Larios.
Leeds vs Southampton Head to Head:
Last season the teams drew 1-1 in this fixture and both games last season ended in draws.
It’s been 10 years since Southampton beat Leeds away from home.
There is a 60% chance to see under 2.5 goals.
Leeds vs Southampton Prediction:
With two new managers taking charge of this relegation game there will be a feeling that both teams will come out as winners if this one ends as a score draw and we are treated to end to end football. But the big prize of course is the 3 points. Southampton may be seen as the outsiders but the players will still be buzzing after their victory over Chelsea and with Selles in charge we should remind ourselves that the players already know him well as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s assistant and one has to presume that they were included in their thoughts about Selles, so this could well be a turning point for the Saints.
The struggle is real for Leeds and the worry is that while the club have claimed some recent draws confidence is low. Reports suggest that the new manager has not been able to get too close to the team because of a delayed work permit and surely that will affect the whole set up for this game. It is a risk granted but we will back the Saints to get at least a point from this game.
Leeds vs Southampton Betting Tips:
Double chance (Draw or Southampton) at 1.86
Anytime goalscorer: James Ward-Prowse at 4.00
Half Time Correct Score: 0-0 or 1-0 to Southampton at 2.75 and 6.00
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