Leeds vs Southampton prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2023-02-24 15:00.
Elland Road is braced for a relegation six-pointer as the Premier League’s (PL) bottom two sides, Leeds and Southampton meet soon after sacking Jesse Marsch and Nathan Jones respectively. It’s déjà vu for new Leeds boss Javi Gracia, as his first game in charge of Watford was also against Southampton, but he won’t want to repeat that 1-0 defeat in January 2018!
Following their 1-0 defeat to Everton, coach Michael Skubala urged Leeds’ players to “stick together” and they’ll hope the supporters at Elland Road can give them a lift after failing to win any of their last four PL home fixtures (D2, L2). At least the Whites have fared well against Southampton recently, losing none of the last three H2H they hosted (W2, D1).
Ex-Leeds boss Marsch was close to joining long-time admirers Southampton but after negotiations fell through, they must look elsewhere. Caretaker boss Rubén Sellés wants the job and must feel he’ll have a chance after leading them to a 1-0 win at Chelsea, particularly if he can guide the Saints to a third win in four league away games (L1).
Although this hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Southampton, four of their five PL wins this term came on the road so they might feel they’ve a better chance of picking up a result here than in front of their own fans. As it’s been all or nothing away from home in the PL (W4, L8), a result either way is a distinct possibility.
Players to watch: Leeds could use a fast start, and few achieve that better than Wilfried Gnonto, as in each of his last two goalscoring appearances he netted inside the first minute! Contrastingly, James Ward-Prowse scored Southampton’s last four league away goals, all of them between the 40th and 80th minute, while only David Beckham has scored more PL direct free-kicks than his 17.
Hot streak: Leeds have collected either two or three yellow cards in each of their last seven PL games.