Kick-off: 1500, 25/02/2023
Stadium: Elland Road
Leeds will be hoping the new manager bounce factor strikes again following the appointment of Javi Gracia ahead of hosting Southampton.
Saints themselves stunned Chelsea with then caretaker boss Ruben Selles in charge but this promises to be a totally different atmosphere.
Stamford Bridge was a subdued stadium due to recent poor results, whereas Elland Road will now be bouncing with fresh optimism.
We’re happy to take 98/100 for the Whites to give Gracia a flying start for our first Leeds vs Southampton prediction.
Gracia knows what is required
Under-21s boss Michael Skubala steered Leeds through a couple of encouraging displays versus Manchester United but losing 1-0 against fellow strugglers Everton was a blow.
That defeat means this will be a battle between the bottom two in the table, with United winless in their last 10 league matches.
However, 52-year-old Gracia is well placed to hit the ground running, having previously managed Watford, who he led to the 2019 FA Cup final.
Gracia must quickly figure out how to prevent Leeds from losing games they should have won, with the Whites often looking good going forward, only to concede soft goals.
There is talent in this squad, which was bolstered by Austria defender Max Wober, USA midfielder Weston McKennie and club-record signing Georginio Rutter in the transfer window.
The likes of Patrick Bamford, the injured Rodrigo, Luis Sinisterra, Willy Gnonto, Brenden Aaronson, Jack Harrison and Crysencio Summerville offer an abundance of attacking options.
Gracia’s teams have been renowned for being disciplined and hard to beat, rather than playing free-flowing football.
This is not the occasion to adopt a passive approach, though, so 21/10 for a home win and over 2.5 goals appeals from the Leeds vs Southampton odds.
Last Leeds line-up: Meslier, Ayling, Firpo, Koch, Wober, Harrison, Adams, McKennie, Gnonto, Bamford, Summerville.
Pascal Struijk is expected to return to contention after recovering from concussion. Marc Roca will be assessed, but Luis Sinisterra is unlikely to feature, while Rodrigo, Stuart Dallas and Adam Forshaw remain long-term absentees.
Saints out to build on shocking Blues
Southampton recently cut short the faltering reign of Nathan Jones and that decision looked a wise one after last Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Chelsea.
Saints showed greater cohesion despite only having had five days to prepare under the leadership of Selles and were relatively comfortable at the back.
James Ward-Prowse’s impressive free-kick on the stroke of half-time proved decisive, as the visitors won for just the second time in the league since October.
Having looked in danger of being cut adrift, Southampton moved to within one more win of safety.
“I didn’t have time to invent a new system,” said Selles. “I identified with the principles that were there before.
“I don’t think too much about other results. I think about us and how good we can be. If anybody wants to beat this team, they have to be at their best.”
Saints can look forward to five home games from their next seven league outings after this, but we fear Elland Road will be a tough place to visit on Saturday.
Whites forward Bamford has done well in past renewals of this fixture and 4/1 for him to open the scoring is added to our Leeds vs Southampton betting tips.
Last Saints line-up: Bazunu, Maitland-Niles, Perraud, Bednarek, Kotchap, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong, Elyounoussi, Lavia, Onuachu, Sulemana.
Southampton will be without forward Che Adams and Croatian winger Mislav Orsic (concussion), but Mohammed Salisu has been able to return to training this week. Defender Juan Larios (groin) and full-back Tino Livramento (ACL) continue their recovery.
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