B Team Preview: Saints vs Leeds

THE MATCH
Saints vs Leeds United
Premier League 2
Staplewood Campus
Friday 24th February, 7pm

Saints come into the first against second encounter after an impressive win against West Bromwich Albion on Monday evening.

Dave Horseman's youthful side showed maturity to manage a 2-1 win at Keys Park, as a Kamari Doyle free-kick and Dom Ballard penalty had ensured a two-goal lead at the break.

Monday's win takes Saints to seven games unbeaten in the league, maintaining their spot as league leaders ahead of Leeds on goal difference.

Leeds are second in the league table, level with Saints on 25 points and an almost identical record; both teams have conceded just 15 times with Saints scoring 35 goals to Leeds' 34, meaning only goal difference separates them.

The Yorkshire club have fielded strong sides in games this season and beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Elland Road on Monday, with Brendan Aaronson scoring as club-record January signing Georginio Rutter also starting the game.

PREVIOUS MEETING

Earlier this season, Leeds had six first team stars playing at Elland Road as they comfortably won 6-2 with a hat-trick from Patrick Bamford and further goals from Crysencio Summerville, Liam Cooper, and Sonny Perkins.

Saints' last victory over Leeds came in their 2018/19 Premier League Cup campaign, as goals from Michael Obafemi and Callum Slattery secured a 2-1 win at Staplewood.

MANAGER'S NOTES

After his side's victory over West Brom, Dave Horseman shared his thoughts on Friday's important fixture.

"First we need to look at Leeds, last time they played a lot of senior players and they're playing some senior players [against Aston Villa on Monday], so I don't know if it'll look like that on Friday because being in the top division would mean a lot to them.

"It's a top of the table clash, this is what we're in football for so it's going to be a really exciting test."