‘Neck on the line’… Manager predicts who gets promoted between Leeds and Southampton

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Leeds United’s win over Swansea City last night saw the Whites overtake Southampton into second place in the table – and Gareth Ainsworth has now predicted who will secure automatic promotion.

Crysencio Summerville, Joel Piroe and a brace from Willy Gnonto saw Leeds win a seventh consecutive league game. Realistically, Leeds could have scored double the amount Daniel Farke‘s side finished with.

Seven wins in a row, with six clean sheets included. Leeds are producing top-two form and finally, have the proof to show it – leapfrogging Southampton, who suffered a surprise 3-1 loss over at Bristol City.

Both Daniel Farke and Piroe commented on Southampton’s loss after the game but both refused to be drawn on commenting about the promotion race – with both saying they are focusing on themselves.

But manager Gareth Ainsworth, who was a pundit on Sky Sports News last night, gave his verdict on who he thinks will finish second behind Leicester. He backed us to pip Southampton to second place.

“A couple of guys fancy Southampton with the run they have been on. I think Leeds are such a good side. If they can keep Summerville in the form he is on, then he is this player,” he said (13/02, 7.20PM).

“One that teams have had in the past where you say ‘that player got them promoted. That player was the one’. Summerville has done that. I will put my neck on the line and say Leeds will just pip it.”

Gareth Ainsworth backs Leeds United to finish in second place

The fact he said this before the match, is probably the biggest surprise. Not many saw Southampton losing their unbeaten run of 25 matches to an indifferent side in the form of Liam Manning’s Bristol City.

But they did, while Leeds seem to be going from strength to strength. The side’s depth is on full show, with the likes of Ilia Gruev, Willy Gnonto, Junior Firpo and Patrick Bamford coming in to the side of late.

All four have been on fire for Leeds. Hopefully, Leeds haven’t bolted too early and tire towards the end of the campaign. We aren’t going to win all 15 remaining League games, but you’d hope for 10 or more.