'Why?' - Leeds United fans in disagreement on play-off final v Southampton with predictions cast

Here is what our YEP Jury have had to say on Sunday afternoon’s Championship play-off against Southampton at Wembley.

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DAVID WATKINS

So, it all comes down to this; beat Southampton at Wembley and the Premier League riches are ours again. Lose, and it’s another 46-game slog in the Championship next season, with no guarantee we’d be as competitive as we’ve been (mostly) this season and, more than likely, lots of player movements, in and out.

The big question in my mind is ‘Which Leeds United will turn up?’ The scintillating one that took the Norwich home game by the scruff of the neck to get us to Wembley and which demolished all-comers in the first quarter of this year, or the lacklustre one that lost three of its final four league games?

If it’s the former, then I’m convinced we’ll overcome Southampton, I doubt any team at our level would live with us in that mood. If it’s the latter then I’d guess the Saints will march on to the Premier League.

We don’t know of course. The performance that thrilled us last Thursday night came completely out of the blue, we’d been poor for so long that no-one saw it coming. My guess is it will be somewhere between the two extremes.

The Saints will put up more of a fight and will probably take us all the way to extra-time and maybe even penalties.

Prediction: Leeds United 1 Southampton 1 (AET). Then it’s a penalty lottery.

KEITH INGHAM

So, it all boils down to 90 or more minutes of football at Wembley tomorrow afternoon at 3pm. This great season that saw Leeds reach 90 points but unfortunately miss out on automatic promotion now could have a happy ending.

Our opponents, Southampton, have already beaten Leeds twice this season. A 3-1 defeat at St Mary’s and a 2-1 reverse at Elland Road. Form in finals really doesn’t matter, it’s who turns up on the day that usually gets the spoils.

There is a feeling that after the Norwich draw a reset happened with players rediscovering the form that saw them overtake Leicester City, albeit for a short time. Defenders were ‘rocks’ again, midfielders busy and scoring and the attack rediscovering where the net was.

A little-known fact came out earlier in the week. @lufcstats, who knows all things Leeds, said on X that when Leeds won finals at Wembley it was always in an Olympic year –  68, 72 and 92 .. this year Paris will stage the 2024 event!

I’ve a good feeling about this final and maybe, just for once, Lady Luck is on our side and we walk away from Wembley as winners and get promoted. Fingers and toes crossed and a safe journey to those lucky enough to be going down to watch it live. Come on Leeds!

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Southampton 1.

NEIL GREWER

Following the emphatic victory over Norwich City in the play-off semi-final second leg – which even included an impromptu pseudo 10-minute testimonial for Liam Cooper – confidence has been restored to the team and Daniel Farke was also able to rest key players for the final via substitutions – a luxury that has rarely occurred this season.

So with the exception of Patrick Bamford’s injury, Leeds arrive in London with a fully fit (and reasonably well rested) squad performing at pre-international break levels.

Farke is now more open to changing his line-up to reflect the opposition and to this end I wonder if Archie Gray will be employed in the no10 role again to counter the Southampton midfield – certainly early on in the game. That is the only possible change I can see to last week's line-up at Elland Road.

If Leeds can replicate the solidity of the Norwich away game combined with the attacking flair of the Norwich home game then Leeds will win this game – if however these levels are not attained then they will be in trouble.

Prediction: Leeds United 3 Southampton 1.

ANDY RHODES

Although the month of May brings the end of the domestic football season, the play-offs are often something to look forward to. But not for us, not this season.

We could be forgiven for any pessimism lingering from play-off campaigns gone by, but this Leeds United side is different, one that racked up 90 points in the regular season. The players have the ability to put most teams to the sword, but one of the sides to avoid defeat against the Whites was indeed Southampton.

When Leeds are on their game they take some stopping. After weeks of backwards steps, the semi-final second-leg at Elland Road saw the team come together in a way that we haven’t seen since March.

If the likes of Georginio Rutter, Willy Gnonto and Joel Piroe can turn it on as they did against Norwich City, Leeds will take some stopping. With the massive financial boost that comes with a play-off final victory there is so much riding on this result for both teams. All we can do is strap in and watch one final game unfold.

Prediction: Leeds United 1 Southampton 2.

MIKE GILL

The big day is almost here and we make the trip to Wembley full of hope. It’s a time to throw statistics out of the window and put jinxes and curses to the back of our minds.

For once, the third best team and the fourth best are playing each other for the biggest prize in football. It's all now down to who can hold their nerve better. Why shouldn’t that team be Leeds?

They come into this game after a great performance against Norwich City in the second leg of the play-off semi-final, so confidence must be high. Of course, Southampton will prove to be tougher opposition but that’s why they’re our opponents in the final.

Barring any last-minute setbacks, United’s team should pick itself and this fact should bring increased confidence to Daniel Farke’s young side. To see so many players regain their form all at the same time should also give the team a major boost.

Of course, we are all looking for a Leeds win but most of all we want a performance fit for the occasion because if the Whites can achieve this type of performance, then they will win this enormous prize.

Prediction: Leeds United  2 Southampton 1.