Leeds to put Southampton under early pressure

Southampton vs Leeds United - 13/08/2022

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The prospect of a new season in the English top flight may have brought fresh optimism to the Southampton fans especially after their side went 1-0 ahead early on away at Tottenham in last weekend’s season opener but their joy was short-lived as the same old problems began to resurface.

Saints quickly folded against the north London club and the south coast side were eventually well beaten by a 4-1 margin at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium which became Southampton’s fifth league defeat on the trot and seven games without a win.

Indeed, the bigger picture now shows Southampton have managed to collect just one league win from their previous 13 outings overall, coming in the shape of a 1-0 home win over Arsenal towards the end of last season, but also includes no fewer than 10 defeats as well.

Southampton’s one bright point comes in the shape of creative midfielder, James Ward-Prowse, but his tenure on the south coast may come under threat with the bigger clubs circling once again for his signature.

Saints manager, Ralph Hasenhuttl is expected to be without injured trio Theo Walcott, Nathan Tella and Valentino Livramento for this upcoming clash against a Leeds United outfit whom they’ve beaten only once in their previous five meetings.

Leeds United, by contrast, made a promising start to the new Premier League season in their opening home game at Elland Road despite going a goal down early on against Wolves through Daniel Podence.

However, Leeds United produced the same character and resilience that they showed towards the end of last season which ultimately saved them from the drop against the west midlands club and The Lilywhites eventually claimed what could prove to be an important three points with a 2-1 victory.

While the jury may continue to be out with regards manager, Jesse Marsch, in some quarters of the Leeds faithful, there’s no denying that he has installed a renewed sense of belief and steel about his side as Leeds not only survived their second season back in the top flight but the visitors also ended the last campaign with some encouraging results.

The visitors suffered just three defeats in their final 11 games of last term which were no disgrace as they were incurred against the title-winners, Manchester City, 5th placed Arsenal and 3rd placed Chelsea respectively.

However, Leeds have also collected five wins within this 11-game sequence in the form of victories over Norwich City, Wolves (twice), Watford and Brentford while also losing just once in their last five outings on the road as well.

The departures of Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha may take some time for Leeds to adjust to, along with this weekend’s absentees of Firpo, Sinisterra, Ayling and Dallas, but the visitors look a tougher prospect under Marsch and seem set to have a decent chance of gaining at least a point here this Saturday, if not all three.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

EPL

Southampton Leeds United 13/08/2022 16:00

252155

2

0 - 3

2.63

30°

3.20

2.20 3.40 3.20 no no no

FT

2 - 2(0 - 0)

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