Dominic Matteo has given his thoughts on whether Leeds United will be promoted automatically with The Whites set to go to toe to toe with Ipswich Town in the race for second place.
Leeds currently occupy second place and a win at QPR on Friday night will see Daniel Farke‘s men go four points clear ahead of Kieran McKenna‘s side. Ipswich are then in action away at Hull City on Saturday.
Ipswich have three games to play and can still finish on 98 points should they win all three. But they face two difficult games next up with Hull being the first on Saturday, and then a trip to Coventry City.
Leeds will need Ipswich to drop points at some stage in the next week, as McKenna’s men then play host to Huddersfield on the final day. The Whites face Southampton at Elland Road, who may rest players.
A huge week of football that determines the entire season starting on Friday. A QPR side that are the 23rd-worst side in the Championship at home, facing a Leeds team that have the third-best away record.
Matteo has given his verdict on the race for second with Leicester four points clear of Leeds and pretty much promoted. He told LUTV that he expects Leeds to be promoted, as Ipswich will drop points.
Matteo confident Leeds will secure automatic promotion
“The manager we have, he will be on the players case constantly. Positivity will be key now for these last two games. I think the manager will bring that, it is about having little chats with certain players.
“Just to make sure they are at it. If we win our next two games, which I think we will, we get promoted because I’m sure somebody else will slip up as well,” Matteo said, as Leeds push for second place.”
Farke decision might just have handed Leeds promotion
Back in January, Leeds were given the choice as to whether to play a postponed game against Norwich then or at the end of the season. Leeds’ run in The FA Cup meant the clash had to be rearranged.
Leeds chose to play it there and then, in order to give The Whites a break in the final week of the season. Ipswich meanwhile, have been forced to play midweek due to Coventry’s run to The FA Cup semi-finals.
Farke spoke about it in his press conference this week, bemoaning the decision to take on Middlesbrough four days before The Whites went away again to QPR. It gives Leeds the chance to rest, to apply pressure.
Ipswich now have to play two massive games within the space of three days as the trip to Coventry comes around on Tuesday night. A quick turnaround between two tough games that might see Ipswich struggle.
