Ian Harte has told FourFourTwo that he thinks Leeds United will be relegated on the weekend even if his old side pick up a win against Tottenham – because he believes Everton will secure three points at home to Bournemouth.
With Leeds losing to West Ham on Sunday, the Whites sit in 19th place in the Premier League. Two points from safety, with a goal difference worse than 18th-placed Leicester who are also on 31 points, and Everton in 17th.
And so, on Sunday, the race for 17th place takes centre stage. Leeds have it all to do, and must rely on points elsewhere to survive. We need to beat a Tottenham side boasting the likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
If we do manage to beat Spurs, we still need to rely on other results. We need Bournemouth to beat Sean Dyche’s Everton at Goodison Park – and, West Ham to stop Leicester winning. Harte is not optimistic about our chances.
“One game to go needing to win and hoping Leicester and Everton don’t get results, is far from ideal. I think Everton will get a result if I’m being honest. Everton are home to Bournemouth who are safe, so I think they will get the win.”
Harte says Leeds will be relegated even if we win against Tottenham
It is hard to disagree with Harte. While every Leeds fan will be hoping that Everton lose to Bournemouth, it is hard to see Dyche’s side faltering against a Bournemouth side who are already likely to be on the beach at this point.
But Bournemouth are capable. They beat us 4-1, and have picked up under Gary O’Neil. But Everton are playing well, beating Brighton 5-1 away and then drawing with Wolves. They did lose 3-0 at Manchester City in between.
One crumb of comfort Leeds can take from Everton’s recent form, is that they have failed to win in their last four home games. But we need a Bournemouth win and even then, we have to beat a Tottenham side fighting for Europe.
