FINAL DAY CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTIONS WITH ELLAND ROAD FACTOR AND LEEDS UNITED VERDICT
Leeds United's 'stumble' has come at exactly the wrong time for Daniel Farke with the Whites set for the drama of the play-offs. That's the verdict of EFL expert David Prutton, who feels the hoped-for miracle on Saturday is too much to ask.
Leeds must beat Southampton on Saturday and hope Huddersfield Town defeat Ipswich at Portman Road, which would allow the Whites to move into second place on goal difference. That - and only that - would see Leeds return to the Premier League without winning the play-offs.
Elland Road is sure to be rocking on Saturday lunchtime but while Prutton is backing Farke's men to their part of the job, he feels an Ipswich side which he describes as 'phenomenal' won't slip up at home to second-bottom Huddersfield.
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“I’ll be intrigued to see what the atmosphere is like at Elland Road, because if Ipswich lose and Leeds win, that goal difference is what would take them up," he told the Sky Sports Championship Predictions podcast.
“However, we’ve not bet at all against Ipswich this season, we discussed earlier on potentially what might happen to them, but my God, they have been there with bells on.
“It’s an unfortunate stumble at the most important of times at Leeds. Ipswich been phenomenal, it’s been a joy to watch them. The game on Saturday against Hull was great, the game against Coventry, they were effective, and just everything about it.
“I like to think, unless you’re Norwich, they’ve got that sense of being everyone’s second team this season haven’t they in the Premier League? Because it has broken that three-way bust up between former Premier League teams.
“So they’ve been great, I’ve enjoyed watching them, I’ve enjoyed interactions with Kieran and all the players that have been involved.”
If Leeds finish third then they will face either West Brom, Norwich or Hull City in the play-off semi-finals, with the three sides battiing for the last two spots.
Prutton's predictions
- Leeds United 1-0 Southampton
- Ipswich 2-0 Huddersfield Town
