Darren Bent has predicted whether he believes Leeds United or Norwich City will reach the Championship play-off final ahead of the first-leg of their semi-final on Sunday.
Leeds have had time to come to terms with the fact that Daniel Farke’s men will have to win at Wembley if they are going to be back in the Premier League next year.
The Whites’ automatic-promotion charge fizzled out in such disappointing fashion, with Leeds losing three of their last four games. And now they face a Norwich City side who will have been buoyed by holding onto their top-six spot on the final day of the campaign.
Leeds did beat Norwich home and away this season, but the Canaries gave Leeds a good scare at Carrow Road, taking a 2-0 lead. And there is absolutely no question that Farke needs his side to completely turn their form around if they are going to win the tie.
Darren Bent backs Norwich to beat Leeds
Certainly, the 17-point gap between the two in the table is completely irrelevant now. And speaking on Soccer Saturday (broadcast on 11/5; 13:54), Darren Bent suggested that he can see Norwich inflicting more misery upon Leeds.
“Going to Norwich, a side who were not always in the best of form, but they almost had nothing to play for because they have got themselves into the playoffs, people are expecting Leeds, who should have gone up automatically, to turn them over, I don’t think they will be able to do it,” he said.
“I am not sure where Leeds are at the moment. Even the result where they beat Middlesbrough, one of the goals was offside clearly. I really fear for them. Honestly. For the last six or seven weeks, I have been thinking, ‘Right, can they get a result, can they get a result and get into the top two?’ They haven’t managed to do it. I think they are really going to struggle in these playoffs. I think Norwich will beat them, I really do.”
Play-off scars may leave supporters pessimistic
Leeds fans have certainly had a fair share of play-off agony down the years; with certain moments against Watford, Doncaster, Millwall and Derby County etched into supporters’ memories.
If Leeds find their best form again, they should triumph and secure an immediate return to the Premier League.
But pressure seems to do particularly strange things to Leeds, as games since the international break have shown, so there may be plenty of fans who struggle to disagree with Bent’s prediction.
