Leeds United have been tipped to miss out on promotion via the play-offs by former England internationals Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker.
The Whites were forced to extend their season after missing out on a top two finish on a dramatic final day. Daniel Farke’s side had previously recovered from a slow start to life in the Championship to pull themselves into contention with a stunning second half to the campaign.
As Leicester City and Ipswich Town stormed ahead during the early stages of the season, Leeds were forced to play catch up. However, they hit their stride from New Year’s Day, embarking on a 15-game unbeaten run which saw them briefly top the table in March.
Defeat against Coventry City in early April kick-started a run of poor form though, and they went into their curtain closer with Southampton relying on Huddersfield Town shocking Ipswich at Portman Road. The Saints emerged victorious though, compounding the Yorkshire side to their fourth loss in six outings.
They head into the play-offs this weekend drastically out of form, where they will take on a Norwich City side that have won just once in their last five. Leeds are favourites to progress over the two legs, although Southampton are potentially seen as the one to beat from the four remaining clubs.
This is a view echoed by pundits Shearer and Lineker, who have both tipped Russell Martin’s side to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Speaking on their The Rest Is Football podcast, via the Daily Echo, former Saints striker Shearer said:
“They’ve had a good run and I would think Southampton, but it’s not always that easy.
“There is always a story that comes out of the playoffs. I really hope for Southampton.
“I spent a few years down there and loved it. They are a really good club. I hope Southampton (can get promoted).”
It was a view echoed by his colleague, with Lineker agreeing:
“I fancy Southampton as well. They’ve hit a bit of form again at the right time.”
However, joined by fellow pundit Micah Richards, the ex-Manchester City defender believes Leeds will right the wrongs of the past few weeks:
“I think they have underperformed in the last couple of weeks. They went on that amazing run and then fizzled out.
“The reason I say Leeds is because, in the forward areas, they have the most quality if they get things right.
“You have got to put that bad run to bed now. The play-offs are a completely different thing, it’s a fresh chance now.”
Leeds travel to Carrow Road on Sunday lunchtime for the semi-final first leg before hosting the Canaries four days later. Meanwhile, Southampton will have to navigate a tricky tie against West Bromwich Albion, with the first leg at the Hawthorns, also on Sunday.
Writer’s View
All the focus is on who out of Leeds and Southampton will earn promotion back to the top tier at the first chance of asking. There’s an argument for both, with the pair producing some wonderful performances over the past few months.
This will suit both Norwich and West Brom, who will be happy to play the underdog role. Everybody seems to have settled on the former Premier League duo battling it out at Wembley later this month. However, the Championship rarely fails to deliver, and it wouldn’t be a major surprise to see the Canaries and the Baggies fighting it out at the national stadium.
