Southampton vs. Leeds United – English Premier League, May 18, 2021

Neither Southampton nor Leeds have really anything to play for in the next two games, but both seem to be trying to finish off the season in the most positive way possible.

Leeds is striving to finish in the top half of the table in its first year back in the EPL, while Southampton looks to get some much-needed victories under its belt after a bruising campaign.

The bookmaker do make Leeds the favorite to win this game on Tuesday, but I would have thought that the prices would have been a bit further apart than this.

Southampton has just won two games in a row for the first time in a while, but Leeds has consistently played exciting, attacking soccer and seems intent on giving it everything in every game until the end of the campaign.

It may have only been an already relegated Fulham, but the 3-1 win for Southampton at the weekend was very much enjoyed by Ralph Hasenhuttl as he gave some of the younger players at the club a chance to pick up some experience. It was the second 3-1 win a row for the Saints and a good sign that the club might be getting back on track after a difficult year.

Southampton seemed to be affected more than most in the EPL by the pandemic, losing players to COVID and injuries throughout the season. Results took a real dive after the turn of the year – and there was even a threat of relegation a few months ago. Now Southampton will look to pick up a few more points in its last two games and prepare for next season.

The home side might not get the chance to relax on Tuesday, though, as Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds has continued to show some fine form and a style of soccer that has won over so many EPL fans this year. The 4-0 win at Burnley at the weekend is a perfect example. The home side didn’t play too badly, but Leeds was clinical when it needed to be and ended up with another big win.

The worst defensive record in the top half of the table ensures that Leeds still needs a point here to make sure of finishing in the top ten. But, Bielsa has rarely deviated from his usual tactic of pressing opponents and taking advantage of mistakes. Leeds didn’t even need Patrick Bamford to score to win 4-0 on Saturday, and he will want to make up for that at St Mary’s.

It might be because Southampton has enjoyed an upturn in results and form in the last few weeks, but I am a little surprised that Leeds isn’t odds on to win this one. The Elland Road club continues to look dangerous every time it takes the pitch, and I’m not sure that Southampton’s leaky defense will be able to cope on Tuesday.