Our prediction for this Premier League match:
St. Mary’s Stadium will host Saturday’s football game between Southampton and Leeds United, the two teams who sit in the danger zone ahead of Matchday 8. Southampton are still eyeing their first win of the process, and they are likely to adopt an attack-minded approach against Leeds. However, home win should not be considered as key midfielder James Ward-Prowse misses the match through suspension.
The Whites, on the other hand, aim to build on a hard-fought 1-0 win over Watford, but seeing that Raphinha is on international duty with Brazil, we are tempted to put our money on draw. Patrick Bamford is rated doubtful for the match, while Forshaw, Ayling, and Koch remain on the sidelines with injuries. In their last meeting in the Premier League Leeds United defeated Southampton 2-0, and yet another low-scoring game is on the cards.
Highlighted Player (Shane Long):
Shane Long is an Irish international striker who has so far made over 60 appearances for the Republic of Ireland national team, scoring more than 15 goals in the process. The forward began his professional career at Cork City, but only made one league appearance for the club ahead of the switch to Reading, where he would go on to spend next seven years.
During that time, Long established himself as one of the best Irish strikers plying their trade in England, and also went on to represent West Bromwich Albion, Hull City and Southampton.
Despite not exactly boasting an enviable goalscoring record for a centre forward, Long was always held in high regard by both managers and his peers, with his incredible work rate and never-say-die attitude winning him plenty of admirers. Long will also go down as one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the Republic of Ireland national team, which he represented at the Euro 2012 and Euro 2016 finals.
Highlighted Team (Leeds United):
Leeds United is one of the clubs that won the FA Cup. The Whites outplayed Arsenal in the final of the prestigious competition back in 1972, but they clinched the League Cup trophy as well. Leeds United faced the Gunners in the 1967/1968 League Cup final and it has to be noted that Terry Cooper scored the winner for the Whites.
Leeds play their home games at Elland Road and the capacity of the stadium is 37,914. The club was founded in 1919 and they have won three First Division (Premier League) trophies ever since (1968/1969, 1973/1974, 1991/1992). Leeds United made it to the Champions League final in 1975, but they were beaten by Bayern Munich in the title clash.
The Whites were impressive under David O’Leary. The likes of Jonathan Woodgate, Lee Bowyer, Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka and Ian Harte were part of the Elland Road outfit back then and they did well to reach the semis of the Champions League in 2001.