David Prutton has shared his prediction for Leeds United’s trip to Queens Park Rangers this evening.
Leeds will be looking to make it back-to-back wins at the best possible time of the season after getting their automatic promotion bid back on track with a 4-3 victory over Middlesbrough.
Despite only having three days to recover, a decision which has been branded as ‘disgusting’ by pundit Jon Newsome, it could actually work in Leeds’ favour, providing they come away with a win.
It would move them four points above Ipswich Town in the race for the top two ahead of their two games in hand at Hull and Coventry City, meaning the pressure would very much be on to win both.
Leeds will be hoping they come up against a QPR side who don’t sit in and defend as deeply as Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers, with it a style of play Daniel Farke’s side have struggled against.
Prutton shares prediction for QPR vs Leeds match
One of Prutton’s former Leeds teammates Ben Parker has already shared his prediction for the game, and expects the Whites to come away with another big three points, 2-0.
Having endured a bit of a barren spell recently in the eyes of Don Goodman, Leeds’ front four were right back on it at the Riverside. If they are again, it could prove too much for QPR.
The home side are in a position where survival is almost certainly secured, but at the same time, with relegation still an outside possibility, cannot afford to switch off.
Speaking on the latest episode of the EFL Predictions Podcast, though, Prutton believes Leeds will just about have enough to get the job done.
He said: “It’s been crunchy, crunch time for a while but that result, Leeds really needed it, it was a great game on Monday night against Boro. Given what we’re seeing from QPR, what they’re capable of, they still need to work the maths even though there are permutations which do work in there favour.
“I don’t think it will be an easy trip for Leeds even though they have the best player in the Championship and a very decent squad, which seems to have bounced back to goalscoring form at just the right time. Defensively, question marks from the Boro game.
“If you are a Leicester fan you are watching that praying for a Whites slip-up, but I can’t really see it. Prediction: QPR 1-2 Leeds.“
Early goal would be massive for Leeds
Though QPR aren’t necessarily likely to setup like Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers did recently, it certainly won’t be as open as the match at Boro.
With that in mind, an early goal is always absolutely vital in matches like these, as it eliminates any possibility of QPR having to camp on the edge of their own box.
Crysencio Summerville, Willy Gnonto, Georginio Rutter and Patrick Bamford all linked up brilliantly on Monday night, and hopefully there is more of the same tonight.