Championship Play Off Final Preview: Leeds United vs Southampton FC

The 38th EFL Championship Play Off Final will take place this Sunday with Leeds and Southampton battling it out to join Leicester City and Ipswich Town in the Premier League for the 2024/25 season.

The game at Wembley has often been described as the most lucrative game in world football with the winner likely to earn upwards of £170 million.

📖 Order your copy of Sunday's #SkyBetChampionship Play-Off Final programme! 🔗👇https://t.co/k8qISMmAfd#EFLPlayOffs | #StepUp pic.twitter.com/DBAq9PLiYJ

— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) May 23, 2024

Only three points separated the sides in the league with Leeds finishing in third place on 90 points and Southampton finishing in fourth on 87 points.

Both sides will be eager for a swift return to England’s topflight after they were both relegated in 2023.

Southampton will be full of confidence having been the only side to do the league double over Leeds this season. They managed a 3-1 victory at St Marys back in September and triumphed 2-1 on the final day away at Elland Road.

Saints boss Russell Martin has got his side controlling games for large periods with Southampton averaging the highest share of possession at 66% across the country’s top four tiers.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke can make history by becoming only the third manager to achieve three promotions after his title winning seasons with Norwich City. Farke will believe his side can find a way to score having netted 98 times in all competitions, the most they have achieved since managing 103 in 2009/10.

Marching On To Wembley ⚪️

90 minutes stands between @LUFC and Play-Offs glory 🤍

Leeds fans, it's the moment you've been waiting for 🙌 #LUFC pic.twitter.com/Kj0mhq69a9

— Sky Bet (@SkyBet) May 23, 2024

Southampton have managed 29 wins across all competitions this season scoring 99 goals in the process. Saints striker Adam Armstrong will be looking to add to his 23 league goals this season (including play-offs) to send his side back to the big time.

Speaking to the media before the upcoming final Armstrong said “It’s a trip to Wembley, it’ll be my first time, so I’m really excited for that. Let’s enjoy the moment. We have obviously played Leeds twice this season and done well, and we can only take confidence from that”.

Never in doubt, @AdamArma9 🤷‍♂️

🕺 Stay for the THB dance pic.twitter.com/JlUESmZZCw

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) May 19, 2024

Team news

Leeds will be without Pascal Struijk who has been sidelined long-term with a groin injury, Patrick Bamford is a doubt with a knee problem which saw him miss both legs of the semi-final.

Wilfried Gnonto recovered from a knock and was fit to start in last week's second leg. Dan James and Connor Roberts are both available having returned against Norwich.

Saints boss Russell Martin has confirmed that striker Che Adams has recovered from a calf issue and will be involved at Wembley.

Top scorer Adam Armstrong suffered a minor knock in the first leg but his brace in the return leg quashed any doubt of his involvement on Sunday. Stuart Armstrong, Juan Larios, and Gavin Bazunu remain unavailable for Southampton.

Where to watch

The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football with coverage starting from 2pm. Kick off at Wembley is scheduled for 3pm BST. Radio coverage will be broadcast exclusively on talkSPORT with commentary from Sam Matterface, Martin O`Neill and Dean Ashton.