Leeds United vs Southampton – Championship play-off final: Live score, team news and updates as both teams eye an immediate return to the top-flight in the £180m showdown
Supporters show their colours
It’s a beautiful day for a match down at Wembley and supporters are making their way into the famous old ground for the fixture.
We’ll be bringing you the team when the squads are announced in just a few minutes.
Can Leeds mark the occasion?
Legendary Leeds boss Don Revie passed away 35 years ago today. While at the club he claimed two First Division titles, the FA Cup, League Cup and a host of other honours.
For the younger generation, which I count myself among – just – he’s probably best remebered for his iconic war of words with former Nottingham Forest boss Brian Clough.
For Farke’s sake
For many, the German manager will be judged by the outcome of today’s match. Leeds were always expected to be one of the best sides in the division and at times it looked as though they would be champions.
But terrible form at the end of the campaign means they ended up in the play-offs despite getting 90 points.
Achieve promotion and all will be forgiven but fail to do so and, well, we’ll see if it comes to that. Farke is looking to secure his third promotion to the top-flight with his second team after Norwich.
For more on him and what he’s done at Elland Road, check out below.
Inside the fall and rise of Leeds: How Daniel Farke turned it around
Saints fan hopes it’s a day to remember
Southampton have also honoured one of their supporters and gifted them with an amazing experience this afternoon.
In attendance for the Saints will be 17-year-old Jess, has had to face a range of complex and challenging situations in recent years, having been a carer for her disabled brother, Ben, who sadly passed away in 2022.
She was just seven years old when she started caring for her brother and was struggling to find a balance between school life and caring responsibilities.
She said:
I couldn’t believe it when they gave me the tickets. To be able to watch my hometown Club at Wembley is a dream come true – I’m really looking forward to it.I’ll be coming with my dad who’s a huge Saints fan and I’m sure it will be a day to remember.
Leeds’ oldest ticket holder makes the trip to Wembley
Let’s go back to supporters as there will be two very lucky fans in the crowd today, who have both been gifted tickets, a stadium tour and the chance to meet some former players from either team by the EFL and their respective clubs.
Leeds fan Leslie, a former RAF navigator used to fly Lancaster bombers in World War II and has been attending home games at Elland Road for over 50 years. He is club’s oldest season ticket holder.
Joining Leslie today will be his son Steve along with friends and fellow Leeds supporters Anne and Susan.
Steve said:
My dad and I have been going to watch Leeds home and away since the 1960s and we’re looking forward to watching them at Wembley stadium in the Play-Offs this weekend
Saints players take in the moment
Southampton players are out onto the pitch at Wembley in their smart casual attire. No Spice Boy outfits here or awful double denim number I seem to recall Barcelona being a fan of.
A simple t-shirt and chino combo. I’m a fan!
Bring that same energy
I think Russell Martin was mainly speaking about the energy this fan brought to the occasion last week.
The Saints fan was on fine form, waving around a prosthetic leg during celebrations of his side’s opener.
Wonder if we’ll see him again today.
Martin urges Saints fans to bring St Mary’s spirit to Wembley
Alright, now onto the Saints, who have found themselves in the play-offs despite enjoying a 22-game unbeaten run during the campaign.
Russell Martin’s side struggled to consistency towards the end of the season and ended up in fourth place. Though, their points tally of 87 is nothing to scoff at.
Nine days ago they booked their place in the play-off final with a dominant 3-1 win over West Brom that had St Mary’s rocking and the manager urged his side to bring that same energy to the capital.
Many people said they’ve never seen St Mary’s like it. Bring that to Wembley for us!
The most unlikely Leeds supporter
Appreciate it’s been pretty Leeds heavy at the minute but this discovery was a good one. Among the people who will cheering on Daniel Farke’s side this afternoon will be none other than Paris Hilton. Yes, Paris Hilton.
She’s apparently really into the club and posted a video of herself ahead of the fixture, saying: ‘I’ll be rooting for you wearing my jersey.’
Here she is and a host of other famous faces, including actor Will Ferrell.
Leeds fans make their voices heard
Here are some of those Leeds supporters I was just talking about. Great scenes of fans at Kings Cross station earlier.
Will they be travelling back up north in good spirits?
Can Leeds finally break the hoodoo after Norwich demolition?
Leeds must seemingly conquer an mystical force in order to prevail against the Saints and return to the Premier League.
The Yorkshire oytfit have been unsuccessful in six-play-off attempts.
Today, they face a side who did the double over them this season but the 35,000 Leeds fans making the trip down from the north will be hopeful of making history.
For more on Leeds’ sorry play-off run, check out the below.
Can Leeds finally break the hoodoo after Norwich demolition?
One must leave disappointed
Good afternoon and welcome to Mail Sport’s coverage of the Championship play-off final at Wembley and what a final it is.
Two clubs relegated from the Premier League last season go head-to-head to try and and make an immediate return. That neither side managed to finish in the top two shows just how strong the division is these days.
Leeds and Southampton actually faced each other on the final day of the campaign but today’s affair is sure to be an altogether different occasion.
We’ll be bringing you all the news and updates ahead of the 3pm kick-off and then all the action when the game gets underway.
Let’s go!
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