Leeds United’s match against Southampton, which was already essential to the team’s season, has become even more significant as a result of Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Southampton at Stamford Bridge over the weekend.
The Saints are currently one point behind the Whites in the standings as both teams fight to avoid dropping to the Championship. This weekend’s matchup between the two teams might have significant ramifications.
However, Southampton’s chances of surviving the drop could significantly improve as regular full-back Kyle Walker-Peters is expected to make a comeback in time for the Leeds game.
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His absence from the field during the weekend victory over Graham Potter’s Blues suggests that interim manager Ruben Selles may have decided to delay his return for this weekend.
Walker-Peters appears to be another player Leeds must watch out for as he returned to full-time training last week after injuring his thigh in their Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg loss to Newcastle United last month.
With their other two full-backs Juan Larios and Valentino Livramento still battling with groin and muscle injuries, respectively, and goalkeeper Alex McCarthy also nursing an ankle injury, his comeback represents a crucial turning point for Southampton in that area of the field.
Centre-backs Armel Bella-Kotchap and Duje Caleta-Car, who both returned to training last week, will probably be in Selles’ lineup when they visit Elland Road later this week.
Last weekend’s victory would have given Saints interim manager Selles and his team the assurance that they can make a real run for safety and that they are still alive.
With chances of 1 to 1 to become the permanent manager, the Spaniard is currently the betting favorite.After his projected move fell through last week, former Whites manager Jesse Marsch is the next-closest candidate, coming in at 8/1 (per SkyBet).
