Championship play-off final verdict, scorer, hat-trick call in surprise Leeds United prediction

In a season that has already seen Ipswich Town confirmed as surprise winners of automatic promotion to the Premier League, making any sort of prediction on what will happen in the Championship play-off final comes with a great deal of caution. English football's second tier is never predictable and the inconsistent end-of-season form of the two finalists ensures nobody really knows what we'll get when the game begins on Sunday afternoon under the famous arch.

Southampton won both league meetings between the sides this season, most recently on the final day of the campaign when picking up a 2-1 victory at Elland Road. Having crushed Norwich City 4-0 in a welcome return to form last week, Leeds United have their tails up and head to Wembley in a confident mood and with hope and faith restored.

Which is why the bookmakers have probably installed them as favourites to make an immediate return to the Premier League.

Read more: Leeds United play-off final tickets set for new qualifying criteria in next phase of Wembley sales

Play-off final match winner

Leeds United are the 13/10 favourites to win the play-off final in normal time. Southampton are priced at a little larger 2/1, while you can get 12/5 for the draw, a fraction higher than the chances of a Saints win. While the odds are low as you'd expect from a two-horse race in a major final, it's clear which way the bookies think this one is going to go.

First goal scorer

With two goals in a decisive 3-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion to reach Wembley, Adam Armstrong is back firing for Southampton and is seen as the most likely to repeat that feat at Wembley. The former Newcastle United player and England Under-21 international is the 6/1 favourite to get the first goal at Wembley, with his team-mate Mateo Fernandez the equal second favourite alongside Leeds' Joel Piroe.

Leeds top scorer and Championship player of the season Crysencio Summerville is next best priced at 7/1 alongside Saints' Che Adams, with Georginio Rutter at 15/2.

Wembley hat-trick

In what is expected to be a tight game with so much at stake, the chances of a hat-trick for any player are very slim, which is well reflected in the prices being offered. Piroe is the favourite to take the match-ball home with him, priced at 100/1 to score three goals, with Fernandez also 100/1, Armstrong, Adams and Summerville 125/1, while Ross Stewart is 150/1.

Winning margin

Any win is all Leeds fans care about and the size of the margin doesn't matter. However, if you fancy a flutter on the size of victory here's the latest odds. Leeds by one goal is 3/1, by two goals is 23/4 and by three goals is 14/1. If you think Leeds will blow Saints away and win by four goals or more you can get 30/1.

Southampton are 15/4 to win by one goal, 8/1 by two goals, 20/1 by three goals and 50/1 to win by four goals or more.