Leeds United will look to put their dismal run of form behind them when they go to Norwich City on Sunday and both Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker are in agreement on who will win the play-offs.
Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Southampton saw Leeds miss any chance of going up in second while Ipswich beat Huddersfield 2-0. Norwich’s defeat to Birmingham City means they have finished in sixth place.
It sees Leeds go up against Daniel Farke’s old side in the Championship play-off semi-finals. Leeds will take confidence from the fact that they have beaten Norwich both home and away in the regular season.
Meanwhile, Southampton go up against West Brom after The Baggies beat Preston 3-0 on the final day. Carlos Corberan will be looking for his side to put a spanner in Russell Martin’s works this weekend.
Both Shearer and Lineker gave their take on the play-offs after the weekend’s results and the forthcoming play-off fixtures confirmed. They are in agreement on who will go on to win at Wembley on May 26.
Here is what they said:
Shearer and Lineker agree on who wins Championship play-offs
West Brom’s win over Preston papered over the cracks with the Baggies really struggling for form of late. They have won just two of their last nine games, while Norwich have won five of their last 10, losing two.
But Norwich have only won one of their last five, too. Southampton’s win over Leeds comes after three straight losses and Leeds have lost four of the last six, so none of the four really have any momentum.
But Shearer and Lineker told The Rest Is Football that they think Southampton will go and win the play-offs after their win over Leeds, which saw Martin’s men do the double over The Whites at Elland Road.
“Southampton,” Shearer predicted to win the play-offs over the weekend. Lineker agreed with Shearer, continuing: “I fancy Southampton – they have a bit of form again, haven’t they, at the right time.”
The injury status of the Leeds squad ahead of Norwich clash
Connor Roberts came off the bench and his return will be a welcome boost for Farke and Leeds, but the same cannot be said about Patrick Bamford who was missing once again due to a knock to his knee.
Hopefully, a week without any games might just give Bamford the time he needs to get back to fitness. Pascal Struijk and Dan James look unlikely to be ready in time for Sunday’s trip to East Anglia.
There is concern regarding Crysencio Summerville who picked up an ankle injury against Southampton on the weekend. It is crucial that Leeds get the Championship’s Player of the Season back to full fitness.