It’s Saturday again, and this week the Whites face a difficult test at home, against league leaders Southampton. Last time we met the Saints, was on the opening day, and with the Sky camera’s present as they will be at Elland Road later today, we managed to put on one of the worst performances I’ve seen in the last few years, even the likes of Snoddy and McCormack looked like they couldn’t control a ball! But a lot’s changed since then, not really for Southampton however, they’ve really blossomed this season, and Nigel Adkins deserves huge amounts of credit for the job he’s done. Whereas for Leeds, it has improved since the opening day defeat, in which Max Gradel’s consolation penalty, meant the score finished 3-1 to the Saints. Officially it will be Neil Warnock’s first home game in charge, if you don’t count Doncaster, so a buzz should be around the place, which will hopefully inspire the lads to a good performance.

Team News then, Leeds will be hoping that Saints’ top scorer, Rickie Lambert, and playmaker, Adam Lallana, will fail late fitness tests, whilst former Leeds captain, Frazer Richardson has been ruled out, however, talented striker, and Guly Do Prado looks set to return from injury. Elsewhere in the Southampton team, keeper Kelvin Davis has been on form this season, whilst former Doncaster talisman, Billy Sharp is a threat to any team, and new signing, Tadinari Lee, will be high on confidence after grabbing his first goal for the club, two weeks ago. For the Whites, Alex Bruce is out with the hamstring problem that forced him to be taken off against Portsmouth, Leigh Bromby is expected to slot in for him, and Robert Snodgrass and Darren O’Dea are expected to start, despite playing for Scotland and Ireland midweek. New signing, Danny Webber isn’t expected to be named in the squad, due to poor match fitness, whilst Finish midfielder Mika Vayrynen has been spotted alive, however an ongoing groin issue rules him out. Team expected to be: Lonergan, Bromby, Lees, O’dea, Pugh, Snoddy, Brown, Clayton, White, McCormack, Becchio.

The match itself will be a close one in my opinion, Southampton are the bookie’s favourite’s, however if we have a good day at the office and take our chances, a win is very achievable. My prediction, 3-1 Leeds, McCormack, Becchio, Clayton...

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