Ian Holloway has given his prediction on who will win the Championship play-offs as Leeds United prepare for the trip to Norwich City ahead of the first leg of their semi-final.
Leeds go into the play-offs after failing to secure second place and Daniel Farke’s men losing four of their last six League matches while Norwich suffered defeat on the final day against relegated Birmingham.
The Whites have beaten Norwich both home and away but it can all change in the play-offs as Leeds go into the mini-tournament in a bad run of form and the need to avoid defeat at Carrow Road on Sunday.
Southampton finished in fourth despite beating Leeds on the final day and go up against one of Marcelo Bielsa’s former coaches at Elland Road in the form of Carlos Corberan and his West Brom side on Sunday.
Ian Holloway has given his verdict on the Championship play-offs this season, a manager that knows all about the shootout after guiding Blackpool to a win at Wembley to reach the Premier League in 2010.
He told TalkSPORT (6.40AM, Friday) it is a “lottery” and predicted who will be promoted to the top tier:
Ian Holloway predicts who will win Championship play-offs
So much can be garnered from the previous meetings between the sides but form can go out the window and Leeds will be hoping that is the case after a dismal run, and missing out on a place in the top two.
Josh Windass spoke this week about the mental effect that missing out on automatic promotion and then going into the play-offs can have, having done so at Accrington Stanley but still back Leeds to do the job.
Holloway backed Southampton: “I don’t think you can get anything as wonderful as this. Everything is on the line, money, fame it brings. Can’t wait for it, four clubs who’ve had the benefit of the Premier League.
“I can’t believe the difference in points. If you’re in a bad run of form, you’re not favourites. Leeds will feel they’ve thrown it away. They’re the best team but it’s a lottery now. I’ll go with form, that’s Southampton.”
Sam Allardyce desperate for Leeds to win Championship play-offs
Big Sam of course, managed Leeds for the last four games of the Premier League season last term but faced a near-impossible job to keep The Whites in the top tier and ultimately Leeds were relegated.
But his affection for the Yorkshire club remains despite his poor, yet short-lived spell in charge and he told his No Tippy Tappy Football podcast that he is desperate to see Leeds win the play-offs this season.
“Obviously I want Leeds because I was there last season and I found it, in only a short time, a great club. Hopefully they get back there and get some stability in terms of trying to stay there this time,” he said.