Pundit Jobi McAnuff has shared his thoughts on Leeds United’s play-off hopes as it looks increasingly likely they will miss out on the top two.
The Whites head into the final day sat third in the Championship and three points adrift of Ipswich Town, needing a minor miracle if they are to finish in second place.
Having won their game in hand at Coventry City, Ipswich now just need to avoid defeat against all but mathematically relegated Huddersfield Town to seal their promotion to the Premier League.
Though Leeds will still have that minor glimmer of hope, they will be well aware it is looking likely to be the play-offs and so with the pressure off, this weekend’s clash with Southampton provides them with an opportunity to find some form.
As such, it may be useful for Daniel Farke to experiment slightly with his side amid such a poor run of form, and Mateo Joseph should be one of those who come in.
Jobi McAnuff makes Leeds play-off prediction
Leeds have lost all five of their play-off campaigns and so Farke will now have to do something no manager in the club’s history has ever done to get the club promoted.
Martin O’Neill believes it will be difficult for Leeds to overcome the disappointment of missing out, but if they can get back to their best, they are the best side in the play-offs, as shown by the table.
Play-offs are usually all about momentum, but in actual fact, all of the four sides currently in there are heading into the semi-finals in either poor or average form.
However, speaking on the latest episode of BBC’s Football Daily Podcast, McAnuff has predicted that it will be difficult for Leeds just because of the disappointment of missing out on the top two.
He said: “I always thought if it was going to be Ipswich that go up, I would definitely fear for the other two at the time in terms of dropping out, but Southampton have had a little more time to get over that and be prepared, although they are on a real bad run.
“It is going to be tough for Leeds having been so close after that run they put together from the start of the year, you felt it would be them who’d get that second place.
“But they are just so up and down at the minute, they were so consistent and solid for so long but they have lost that. That 4-0 at QPR, they were all over the place and Daniel Farke has a massive job to get them going for the play-offs.”
Leeds looking to end historical play-off hoodoo
As mentioned, Leeds will be looking to do something for the first time in their history by getting promoted, from any division, via the play-offs.
Leeds have also failed to win a single home play-off tie since 1987, with all their recent passages to finals coming as a result of big wins on the road.
But Leeds’ home form is the best in the Championship this season and they simply have to use it to their advantage, as Elland Road can be such a big asset when it is at its best.