Leeds United manager Daniel Farke is preparing to unleash his “unplayable” quartet of Wilfried Gnonto, Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville, and Joel Piroe in the Championship play-off final against Southampton. The winner of the match will earn promotion to the Premier League.
Starting this unplayable player will send a great deal of fear to Southampton coach who is also looking to win to be promoted to the Premier League.
Former Leeds United boss Simon Grayson has backed Farke’s team to win the final, praising the front four for their impressive performance in the play-off semi-final second leg against Norwich City. Grayson believes that the quartet’s pace and movement will pose a significant threat to Southampton’s defense.
Grayson also emphasized the importance of a solid defense, stating that a good base in the back four will solidify everything. He expects the match to be tighter than the previous encounter between the two teams, which Leeds won 2-1 at Elland Road.
Despite Leeds United’s poor play-off record, Grayson is confident that the team can break their duck and win the final. He believes that the players should not be burdened by the team’s past failures and instead focus on being the first team to achieve promotion via the play-offs.
Grayson also drew on his own experience as a manager, having achieved a 100% playoff final success rate. He believes that records are meant to be broken and that the players should be looking to make history.
The match is expected to be a closely contested encounter, with both teams having a strong chance of winning. Southampton’s possession-based style of play will likely be tested by Leeds United’s pacey front four.
Farke’s team selection will likely be influenced by the absence of Patrick Bamford, who is still unavailable for selection. However, the quartet of Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville, and Piroe has shown that they can be a formidable force when given the opportunity.
The stakes are high, and the pressure is on both teams to perform. However, Grayson believes that Leeds United has the talent and determination to win the final and earn promotion to the Premier League.
In addition to the quartet, Leeds United also has other attacking options, including Dan James on the wing. This depth of talent will give Farke a range of options to choose from as he looks to outmaneuver Southampton’s defense.
The match will be a test of nerves for both teams, but Grayson is confident that Leeds United has the quality to come out on top. He predicts a 2-1 win for Leeds United, which would see them promoted to the Premier League for the first time since 2022.
Overall, the Championship play-off final promises to be an exciting and closely contested encounter, with both teams having a strong chance of winning. Leeds United’s “unplayable” quartet will be looking to make a significant impact, and Farke will be hoping that his team can break their play-off duck and earn promotion to the Premier League.