Leeds United
Southampton FC
Southampton FC
Leeds and Southampton are neck and neck in the lower half of the table, both searching for better form
Southampton to win 2-1
Leeds have slipped to back-to-back defeats for the fourth time this season as their progress towards the top half of the table has stalled once again.
After beating Crystal Palace to go 10th a couple of weeks ago, successive defeats against Arsenal and Wolves have seen them slip back to their family position half way down the lower half of the table.
Having to make do without up to six players has certainly impeded their form, and they must once again cope without several first team stars.
Although still without a win in seven games, Southampton finally ended their disastrous losing streak which has seen them slip from 6th to 13th and end their hopes of European football for next season.
Can they finally claim a win here at Elland Road? Three points would see them overtake their opponents and start to get their season back on track.
Form Guide (all comps): WLWLL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Have won seven of nine games this season against teams below them in the table
Bamford has scored in all four home wins
Reasons to be fearful:
Kept just one clean sheet from last eight league games
Could lose three consecutive games for the first time since 2017
Leeds are undoubtedly feeling the pain of losing several of their regular starters lately, with injuries mounting in recent weeks.
Key midfielder Kalvin Phillips has been especially missed, with Leeds losing the last five league games in which he has been absent.
While The Peacocks were unlucky to lose their game against Wolves, Marcelo Bielsa will be worried at how his side have slipped to two successive defeats, with only Newcastle, West Brom and Sheffield United losing on more occasions this season.
Here, they will face a Southampton side keen to secure only their second win of 2021, and must tighten up at the back with only West Brom conceding more goals.
Star Man – Patrick Bamford
With their defenders conceding plenty at the other end, it’s Bamford who is coming up with the goods in front of goal.
Form Guide (all comps): LLWLD
Reasons to be cheerful:
Point against Chelsea was much-needed to end losing streak
Have won nine of their last 10 against newly-promoted sides
Reasons to be fearful:
Four points secured in 2021 is the lowest in the league
Have dropped a league-high 18 points from winning positions
While not a victory, that point against Chelsea last weekend could well be an important turning point in Southampton’s season after a dreary period of six successive defeats.
Despite having their European hopes extinguished by their poor form, they can certainly refocus their efforts for a top half push over the coming weeks, and have a largely fit squad to choose from here.
Danny Ings is always a threat, while loan signing Minamino has hit the ground running in his opening month at the club.
They are, however, on a three-match losing streak away from home, and will need to cope with a Leeds side who are aiming to avoid three defeats on the bounce themselves.
Star Man – Takumi Minamino
Has two goals in his three appearances for The Saints, and the Japanese international is complementing Danny Ings nicely.
Will be an interesting game with plenty of attackers on show
Both sides to score
Saints could finally claim victory
With poor form holding both sides back right now, a win here could serve as a turning point for the rest of the season.
Leeds are likely to be without several players once again, so the Saints could be favourites if they can find their way to goal as they did against Chelsea last week.
Southampton to win 2-1
