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Speaking to the Sky Sports website, player turned pundit David Prutton gave his verdict on the promotion race, revealing whether he thought Leeds or Sheffield United would successfully sneak into the Premier League automatically.
What’s he said?
The former Sheffield Wednesday man offered his predictions for how the rest of the Championship season would play out at the top and claimed that the Whites and not the Blades would secure the final automatic place. Via Sky Sports, he said:
“I know Leeds suffered a setback at the weekend but every time you expect them to fall away they come back stronger. I think they will just edge it.”
That may have worried the Bramall Lane faithful, but when asked to give his predictions on who would make it up through the play-offs, he claimed Sheffield United would have enough based on the quality they possess over the other teams in the running. Prutton added:
“It will probably go to the final day of the season to sort the final spot, but I think Derby are back on form now they have a fit squad again. The two sides battling for automatic promotion behind Norwich right now are a cut above the rest. I’d back either going into the play-offs, so Sheffield United for me.”
Correct verdict?
The promotion race is incredibly tight to predict but if Sheffield United did have to seal their place in the Premier League through the play-offs you’d back them given how they’ve performed this term.
Finishing outside of the top two may suggest that their momentum will have taken a hit at some point, but the desire and determination Chris Wilder has instilled in his team would make it a surprise if they couldn’t find the mental strength to see the job through.
However, if you consider the run-in of the two sides battling it out for an automatic place, Sheffield United’s is arguably slightly easier than Leeds’. Therefore, it may be the Blades, rather than Bielsa’s men sitting in second place when the season ends.
Either way, Wilder’s side have overachieved this season but they deserve to be where they are and the spirit they have within their camp should see them over the line, irrespective of whether it’s in the play-offs or automatically.