CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF FINAL: The Striker previews Sunday’s Wembley clash between LEEDS v SOUTHAMPTON with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
LEEDS V SOUTHAMPTON
3pm They say it’s the richest game in football, it’s Championship Playoff time on BETDAQ Betting Exchange as Leeds face Southampton at Wembley on Sunday. On offer is a place in the Premier League and it would be a very quick bounce back for the winner as these sides finished in the bottom two in 2022/23. It’s quite fitting that they both came through the Semi-Finals because the top four in the Championship have been a mile clear this season. Obviously it’s always going to be heartbreak for the loser here, but particularly so for Leeds who finished the season so poorly. They looked set for automatic qualification but just one win from their final six games put them into the playoffs – that run included a 2-1 loss to Southampton too.
Southampton have beaten Leeds twice this season, 3-1 when they had home advantage earlier in the last season and then 2-1 in the final game. Southampton also have the best attacking figure in the Championship this season with an average xG created of 1.83, while Leeds have the best defensive figure with an average xG conceded of just 1.01. That’s a pretty impressive figure at the back from Leeds considering how poor they were in the Premier League – they were conceding goals and chances for fun!
When you put attacking and defensive figures together, we have two of the top three sides in the Championship here. Southampton actually come out as the best performing side this season. It’s not a surprise that we have a reasonably open betting heat – Leeds come into the game as the favourites at 2.4 with Southampton 3.35 and the draw is 3.45 at the time of writing. Leeds don’t have a good history in the playoffs, but that history is quite a while ago now. Both sides have some long-term injuries which won’t be a surprise here – although we have an open market, I would have the market even more open to be honest. I feel the 2.4 on Leeds looks a little short – Southampton have been playing some excellent football this season and on paper they are a better side than Leeds.
I would have Leeds bigger than 2.4, with the draw and Southampton a little shorter. The Saints managed two wins against Leeds in the Championship too – I know both sides have their flaws, but Southampton have been so good going forward this season I can see them getting a result here. From a value point of view, I’m very happy with the 2.4 lay on Leeds. I would be tempted by the 3.35 on Southampton, but in my opinion it’s nice to have the draw on our side here too. There isn’t much between the sides, but Southampton have the edge in my opinion.
The Striker Says:
Two points lay (liability) Leeds to beat Southampton at 2.4 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/LeeSth
