John Eustace predicts whether Leeds United will finish in the Championship’s top two ahead of Blackburn clash

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John Eustace is a manager Daniel Farke is yet to beat as Leeds United boss and he is set to come up against him for a third time on Saturday.

Eustace defeated Leeds 1-0 twice with two different clubs last season, first with Birmingham City back in August, and then with Blackburn Rovers in April, which put a real dagger in Leeds’ top two hopes.

Leeds are once again flying high at the top of the Championship ahead of the upcoming meeting with Blackburn and a first win for Farke over Eustace as Whites boss would see them keep their place in first.

However, Blackburn are enjoying a good season themselves and sit just outside the top six in eighth place, after a very impressive win at Middlesbrough in midweek.

Midfielder Lewis Travis has insisted Rovers will attack Leeds, despite admitting Farke’s side are right among the very best in the division.

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Eustace makes Leeds top two prediction

You’d struggle to find a manager all season not to have hailed Leeds as the best team in the division, and Rovers boss Eustace is no different.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder is even one of those tipping Leeds to win promotion, despite being one of the Whites’ main competitors this season.

And Eustace was speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the 1.30pm kick-off at Ewood Park, where he spoke highly of both Leeds’ squad and Farke.

Eustace then went onto tip Leeds to seal promotion via the top two, suggesting they sit top of the table ‘for a reason’.

He said: “They have carried on from where they were last season, they have brilliant players and a great manager. They will be in the top-six, probably top two I would reckon, at the end of the season. They have Premier League quality and we will have a game plan as we always do to try and stop that.

“It will be a tough challenge, they’re top of the league for a reason. The manager knows how to get out of the league and it will be a good challenge for us against a top side.”

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Daniel Farke delivers Blackburn verdict ahead of Leeds clash

Farke was also asked about the prospect of facing Blackburn in his press conference on Thursday and is expecting a very difficult game.

The Leeds boss also claimed he was ‘not surprised’ to see Rovers win away at Middlesbrough in midweek, a result not many would’ve seen coming.

He said: “Not surprised about Boro win. Anything can happen in this league. Boro on a good run, but impressive for the away win, clean sheet. Not surprised because they have shown this during the whole season. Winning the game in hand puts them in the top six. We know it’s not an easy place for us.

“Third game in six days. Tough test for us and another difficult game. We don’t complain. We want to be on it again. Expect tight game. Something we want to do and show in a respectful way. Aware of our strengths at the moment.”