Leeds United welcome Blackburn Rovers this weekend, seeking to return to winning ways after picking up just one point in their previous two games.
Daniel Farke’s team has been rocked by the stunning announcement of Stuart Dallas’ retirement from professional football this week, but the only way to respond is with a response this weekend.
The defeat at Coventry City was not followed by the appropriate result at home to Sunderland, when a 0-0 draw did little to strengthen Leeds’ chances of promotion – albeit assisted by Ipswich drawing and Leicester losing.
David Prutton predicts the Leeds vs. Blackburn result.
Sky Sports commentator David Prutton has offered his predictions for the latest round of Championship games, with Leeds hoping to get back on track at Elland Road.
Leeds are two games away from finishing the season without losing at home under Farke, and Prutton feels the streak will continue against Rovers, who have the league’s leading scorer in Sammie Szmodics.
He predicts the Whites will win 3-1, as he stated:
“The way the game could and should play out is where Leeds need to pull their finger out; I still believe ‘yes, they are in there.'”
“But, conversing with Don Goodman throughout the week, he made the very pertinent point that they haven’t been at their best in the last few games; even in the Hull City game, it wasn’t a 3-1 win for them, was it? But they did, so they won’t mind.
“These last two have just gone to show that there is a little bit of jeopardy there.”
Prutton anticipates Ipswich and Leicester’s fortunes this weekend.
It would be perfect if Leeds’ rivals both dropped points again, as it is unusual for all three of the top three teams to lose.
Leicester will go to Plymouth Argyle tonight, with Enzo Maresca’s side expected to win 2-1 at Home Park.
Ipswich Town host Middlesbrough at Portman Road, and Prutton believes they will win 1-0 to remain a point ahead of Leeds and the Foxes.
Another big weekend for Leeds, Ipswich, and Leicester.
Ipswich face a resurgent Middlesbrough, while Leicester travel to a Plymouth team that might make things difficult.
We have the simplest match on paper, but Szmodics’ goal scoring is something to be aware about as well.
If we win three of our last four games this season, I would expect us to finish in the top two, as the strain and schedule are producing more and more lapses.
