Our best bets for the Championship play-off final include victory for Southampton and an anytime goalscorer tip.
Leeds and Southampton were fancied for automatic promotion at the start of the Championship season but only one of them will be celebrating by the end of the playoff final at Wembley.
The EFL playoffs have not been a happy hunting ground for Leeds, who have taken part on five previous occasions without being successful.
Southampton have been involved on just one previous occasion, losing out to Derby in the 2007 Championship playoff semi-finals. The Saints are getting ready for the first playoff final in their history.
Selections
Southampton to win promotion @ 11/10
Adam Armstrong to score at any time @ 19/10
Over 2.5 goals @ 17/20
Saints set to seal promotion
Southampton were 2-1 winners away to Leeds on the final day of the Championship season and can frank the form by defeating the Yorkshire giants at Wembley.
Leeds go into the playoff final following a superb 4-0 victory at home to Norwich and are 7/10 favourites to secure promotion.
However, it is hard to fathom why there is such market confidence behind a side who struggled during the Championship run-in.
Daniel Farke’s outfit approached the final eight games of the season with automatic promotion in their hands, but they claimed just eight more points and ended up six short of second-placed Ipswich.
Leeds came to life in the second leg of their playoff semi-final against Norwich when they responded to a partisan Elland Road crowd.
But there will be more balanced support in the Wembley stands this weekend and Southampton may handle the occasion better than their opponents.
Saints had a wobble during the run-in – they lost three of their final four games. But they were probably less concerned than Leeds about finishing the regular campaign in the playoff places and responded with a well-deserved 3-1 aggregate success over West Brom.
Russell Martin’s side were outstanding in their second-leg win over the Baggies and they look overpriced 11/10 shots to be promoted.
Accurate Armstrong can make an impact
Adam Armstrong popped up with a brace to help see Southampton past West Brom in their playoff semi-final and he looks like being the main danger to Leeds at the national stadium.
The 27-year-old was the second top scorer in the Championship this season with 21 goals and his shots-on-target tally (64) was joint-top of that metric alongside Plymouth’s Morgan Whittaker.
Leeds are sure to be wary of Armstrong, who is a versatile, energetic forward capable of putting in a shift for his team as well as carrying a huge threat in front of goal.
However, the Whites may struggle to stop Southampton’s penalty-box predator, who looks a worthwhile 19/10 wager to get on the scoresheet.
Attack-minded opponents can serve up a goalfest
Leeds and Southampton have established well-earned reputations for playing attacking football and their Wembley encounter should feature plenty of goals.
Both teams kicked off their playoff campaigns with 0-0 draws but they switched to their more natural offensive styles in the semi–final second legs.
Southampton’s 46 Championship games generated a total of 150 goals, which was the highest of any team in the division.
Their risky, high-pressing style contributes to a lot of exciting games and should increase the chances of a goal-rich encounter on Sunday.
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