2020-21 Premier League: Week 37 – Southampton vs Leeds

Southampton welcome Leeds United to St Mary’s Stadium in the penultimate matchweek of the 2020-21 Premier League season. 

Victory would see Southampton climb to 12th for at least 24 hours, whereas Leeds can climb to eighth until at least Wednesday evening.

 

Team News

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Jan Bednarek is a doubt for Southampton after missing Saturday’s win over Fulham with an ankle injury.

Oriol Romeu (ankle) won’t be risked until fully match fit but Ryan Bertrand (calf) and Will Smallbone (knee) remain absent.

Leeds could have Robin Koch and Pablo Hernandez available, after the pair sat out Saturday’s four goal victory at Burnley with knocks.

Adam Forshaw (muscle) and Helder Costa (back) remain ruled out.

 

Stat Attack

• Southampton have lost just one of their last five Premier League meetings against Leeds (W2, D2, L1).
• Leeds have won two of their last six top-flight trips to Southampton, keeping clean sheets during both wins (W2, L4).
• 12 of Che Adams’ 13 league goals for Southampton have been scored on his right foot since joining the club last season.
• Jack Harrison has produced eight league goals and assists for Leeds this season, which is the highest combo out of Leeds’ midfield players across this campaign.
• Southampton haven’t scored at least three goals in three consecutive home games since April-May 2016, despite conceding in each of those three matches.

 

Prediction

Southampton delivered a confident clinical display to comfortably defeat Fulham on Saturday, yet this will be a much tougher test defensively given Leeds’ ability to soak up pressure and use pace as well as creativity to carve the opposition defence open

Leeds look to have found another gear in their last two games because they have been devastating in their last two matches when unleashed on the attack, which is surely going to be a concern for Southampton’s defence if they aren’t carefully disciplined.

I therefore do expect a tough tussle between these two teams but Leeds know that a win combined with results elsewhere in their favour could put them in the final day mix for seventh and Europa Conference League football next season.

On that note, I can see Leeds forcing a winner even despite their poor top flight form at Southampton.

Prediction: Southampton 1-2 Leeds

Result: Southampton 0-2 Leeds