Leeds United taking no risks as Elland Road footage emerges pre-Southampton
Leeds United head into their final-day showdown with Southampton knowing the odds are stacked against them to win automatic promotion.
Not only will overcoming fellow promotion hopefuls Southampton be difficult given the Whites’ recent form, they also need help from elsewhere.
Daniel Farke’s men now know exactly what is required on Saturday (4 May) if they are to join Leicester City in going up automatically.
Championship permutations on final day
With a three-point deficit to make up on Ipswich Town, Leeds need to beat Southampton at home and hope Ipswich lose to Huddersfield Town.
Stranger things have happened, of course, but many United fans in attendance know that settling for the play-offs is now the most likely outcome.
However, the club are clearly taking no risks if footage shared from Elland Road on the morning of the game is anything to go by.
BBC Sport’s Jonathan Buchan posted a video on his personal X account [4 May] showing a big security presence inside the stadium.
Many of the stewards were positioned around the circumference of the field, much like they would to prevent a pitch invasion at full-time.
Leeds United simply must beat Southampton
There is no risk of that happening if Leeds finish third, but United chiefs are clearly hopeful that second place is still very much achievable.
In fairness, it may well be that the police instructed Leeds they had to have a certain number of security personnel in place.
If nothing else, it is a stark reminder of exactly what is possible if everything goes to plan on the final day of the regular campaign.
And if that happens, it would make for the sweetest of promotions – even more so than cruising over the line. Here’s to hoping!
In other Leeds United news, the club may be forced to sell a key player amid interest from the Premier League.
