Match Pack: Leeds vs Saints
The season finale is almost here as Saints face Leeds United in the SkyBet Championship play-off final on Sunday. Find all you need to know ahead of kick-off in our Match Pack...
THE MATCH
Leeds vs Saints
Sky Bet Championship play-off final
Wembley Stadium
Sunday 26th May, 3pm BST
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: John Brooks
Assistants: Simon Bennett, Dan Robathan
Fourth official: Tony Harrington
VAR: Jarred Gillett
Assistant VAR: Darren Cann
WHERE TO WATCH
Unable to make it to Wembley Stadium? Sunday's game is available to watch live on Saints Play, only in unsold markets due to television rights:
Fans both internationally and in the UK and Ireland can purchase an audio pass which will cover the month for £4.49:
Alternatively, supporters can attend St Mary's Stadium for a special showing of the play-off final in the Saints Bar; tickets are priced at £5 with the stadium open from 1pm.
UK subscription holders can watch live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Promotion.
This one needs little introduction, as Saints and Leeds go head-to-head for a place in the Premier League and a return to the top flight at the first time of asking. After a relentless Championship campaign that went the distance into the play-offs, only one side can join Leicester City and Ipswich Town in the Premier League next season.
WHAT KIT WILL SAINTS WEAR?
Saints will step out at Wembley in their black and yellow third kit, the same strip they wore for the final day of the regular season in a 2-1 victory over Leeds at Elland Road.
The shirts will feature a limited edition play-off final print, which supporters can add to their own kits from the club shop ahead of Sunday's game. Click here for more.
TEAM NEWS
Saints manager Russell Martin issued a positive fitness update on recent doubts Ché Adams and Ross Stewart, who will both be available for selection at Wembley.
"We’re really delighted to have Ché back, and have Ross back training properly after he took a knock last week.” Martin said in his pre-match press conference.
Both players have trained ahead of Sunday's game, meaning only longer-term absentees Stuart Armstrong, Gavin Bazunu, and Juan Larios are confirmed to be unavailable.
Leeds will be without Patrick Bamford, who has not recovered in time to feature in the season finale. He is their only absentee, however, as Daniel Farke confirmed that "every player will be available" including Sam Byram, who missed the semi-final second leg against Norwich.
THE MANAGERS
Daniel Farke: "We know it's a massive game, a final, there's always more focus on such a game. It's important to stay calm and find a good balance, focus on the contents; we're motivated, just like our opponent. It's a 50-50 game, anything can happen.
"I would have preferred to have [Patrick] Bamford available, but it's important to face reality and the reality is he is not there. I trust my whole group and squad, no searching for excuses."
Russell Martin: "We have to make sure we use [the two wins over Leeds] as an advantage and as something we can use in our favour. We've analysed both games and our recent games in the same way we always have.
"There's a real awareness that the game is different, not pretending it's normal and to embrace the occasion. What an incredible privilege and responsibility as well, I feel prepared for it in the best way for us and the players as a group of people."
TOP SCORERS
Leeds
Goals:
Crysencio Summerville 21
Joël Piroe 14
Dan James 13
Assists:
Georginio Rutter 16
Crysencio Summerville 10
Dan James 8
Southampton
Goals:
Adam Armstrong 23
Ché Adams 18
Ryan Fraser 8
Assists:
Adam Armstrong 13
Stuart Armstrong 7
Adams 6
ONES TO WATCH
Joël Piroe: After scoring against Saints on the final day of the regular season, just his second goal in 15 games at the time, the Dutchman rose to the occasion in the play-offs.
Leeds took the lead early on in their second leg and, with Norwich posing a threat of an equaliser, Piroe scored his 14th goal of the season and doubled the advantage to ensure a smooth passage to Wembley.
A man for the big moments, Russell Martin's former Swansea star could have a big say against his ex-manager on Sunday.
David Brooks: After being an unused sub on the final day of the season and playing only the closing stages in the play-off semi-final first leg, Brooks was unleashed against West Brom at St Mary's Stadium and shone in a crucial game.
The Welshman's clever pass set up Will Smallbone's opener just after the break with his fifth assist of the season. Yet to play against Sunday's opponents this season, Brooks may be the unknown quantity that Saints need to hurt Leeds at Wembley.
HEAD TO HEAD
Played: 100
Leeds: 48
Draws: 22
Saints: 30
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
May 2024: Leeds 1-2 Saints (A. Armstrong, Smallbone)
September 2023: Saints 3-1 Leeds (A. Armstrong 2, Smallbone)
February 2023: Leeds 1-0 Saints
August 2022: Saints 2-2 Leeds (Aribo, Walker-Peters)
April 2022: Leeds 1-1 Saints (Ward-Prowse)
DID YOU KNOW?
- Saints are the only team to do the league double over Leeds United this season, thanks to victory on the final day of the regular season.
- Saints have won 29 matches across all competitions this campaign, their most since their promotion winning campaign of 2011-12 (30).
- Leeds United have reached a play-off final for the fourth time, failing to win promotion on each of the previous three occasions (1986/87, 2005/06, 2007/08).
KEEP UP TO DATE
Unable to make it to Wembley or watch along at St Mary's? We’ve got you covered! We’ll bring you all the behind-the-scenes content alongside the in-game action from Sunday's big game.
Check out our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com, with live streaming of the game, key updates and audio commentary of the match, and be sure to download the official Saints app and follow us on social media for further updates and exclusive content:
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