Paul Merson has predicted “drama” on the final day of the Championship season as Leeds look to earn promotion back to the Premier League.
The Whites must beat Southampton at Elland Road and hope that Ipswich falter at Portman Road in their game with Huddersfield, otherwise they will be forced to enter the playoffs to be promoted.
Merson admitted that Ipswich have been phenomenal this season but tipped drama to occur as it so often does.
I think it’ll be hard to take,” he said. “I think it’s a hard one.
What Ipswich have done is just phenomenal, and I mean phenomenal. Especially in this day and age with the parachute and the teams that come down, and the teams that did come down like Leeds, teams like that, Southampton. You still have West Brom who are proven, Watford are decent.
For them to come through the leagues and get that many points, and Boydy just told me a stat, you can read it. They took 191 points in their last two seasons. That is over two points per game.
It’s just phenomenal.It’s in their hands today, it’ll be hard. It’ll be hard. I’ve sat on this show on the final day many, many times over the years and there’s drama. There is drama. Something happens. I don’t know why, but something happens.
All or nothing for Leeds United While promotion is still possible even with a negative result from the game with Southampton, Leeds should be approaching this game as if it is all or nothing.
If they don’t secure the win over the Saints then it will see them enter the playoffs in poor form, with low morale, and a potential rematch with the same team in a number of weeks.
Obviously it isn’t in their hands, but at least if they do their job on the day they can’t feel as though they have let themselves down any further.
It’s rare that the team that finishes third actually ends up going up to the Premier League through the playoffs, but Daniel Farke won’t want to feel as though this amazing season has been for nothing.
An early goal would apply pressure on Ipswich, and with Huddersfield battling relegation anything can happen. Merson is right, there will be drama, and that is a good thing for Leeds and Elland Road.
