There is one final promotion to the Premier League slot available, and it is simply “win and get in.” Big, no HUGE money is on the line in this one, when Championship sides Leeds United and Southampton FC wage war at the national stadium this weekend.
Both managers know full well what’s at stake here for themselves, their players and their clubs.
Championship Play-off Final FYIs
Kickoff: Sun. May 26, 3pm, Wembley Stadium, London, UK
Preview Material for both sides: Team News Starting XI Predictions
Probability for 90 Min: Southampton FC Extra Time Leeds United
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Daniel Farke took charge of a Leeds squad that was in a pretty bad place.
There was a ton of turnover, and he added on that churn by starting to remake the roster more in his mold.
Russell Martin took the reins at a club where quick manager turnover has been a way of life for quite some time. Will be he able to stick?
Only if he wins early and often.
Starting XI Predictions
Leeds United
Illan Meslier; Archie Gray, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Junior Firpo; Ilia Gruev, Glen Kamara; Wilfried Gnonto, Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville; Joel Piroe
Southampton FC
Alex McCarthy; Kyle Walker-Peters, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jan Bednarek, Jack Stephens; William Smallbone, Flynn Downes, Joe Aribo; Adam Armstrong, Ryan Fraser, David Brooks
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to Ravens Wire, part of the USA Today SMG’s NFL Wire Network and the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated, Chicago Tribune and the Washington Times. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.