The race for automatic promotion is set to take more twists and turns as the Easter period arrives, with Leeds United travelling south to take on Oxford United – a side that beat Sheffield United recently.
Daniel Farke’s side now look confident of automatic promotion after picking up two successive wins at Middlesbrough and then Preston at Elland Road, coinciding with Sheffield United’s three straight losses.
Ally McCoist thinks Sheffield United can still win automatic promotion if they win their next two games. But certainly, Chris Wilder’s side are up against it with Leeds back in form and Burnley 29 undefeated.
Next up is Good Friday, with all 24 Championship teams in action. Burnley are up first at 3pm, as the current second-placed side go to Watford before Sheffield United at 5.30 and then Leeds later at 8pm.
Sam Parkin predicts how Leeds United will do at Oxford United
So, Leeds are in good form and even though this is an away game at the Kassam Stadium, it should be an easy win for The Whites – on paper. Gary Rowett’s side should avoid relegation, but the threat remains.
That is despite a win over Sheffield United at home, earlier this month. It has been a mixed bag for Rowett and Oxford United of late, winning three but losing three in their last six – unable to put a run together.
Football League legend Sam Parkin has given his verdict on whether Leeds will pick up a win. Speaking to Ben Bloom’s YouTube, Parkin initially predicts a 2-1 win for Leeds – before changing to a 3-1 Leeds win.
“The enormity of this game can’t be understated. Oxford play Cardiff next, I’m going to go for a real rally but edged out by the odd goal – I will go 3-1 Leeds,” Parkin said as Leeds play third, after their two rivals.
How Sam Parkin thinks Sheffield United and Burnley will get on
Prior to Leeds’ evening kick-off, Burnley are away at Watford in what looks like the trickiest of the three games for the automatic promotion-chasing sides. Sheffield United meanwhile, play host to Cardiff City.
Despite their run of three straight losses, Sheffield United will be expecting to beat Cardiff at Bramall Lane but for Burnley, they face a Watford side in 11th place. Parkin though, thinks it will be another two wins.
On Watford v Burnley, Parkin said: “Watford v Burnley: I’m going to go 2-1 Burnley. If there is going to be some faltering this weekend [in the automatic promotion race], I think it will be in Watford v Burnley.”
He continued by discussing Sheffield United’s clash against Cardiff, at Bramall Lane: “I don’t see Sheffield United dropping points at home to Cardiff. Not the best performance maybe, but getting the points. 2-0.”
Should all three sides pick up wins, which is very foreseeable, Leeds and Burnley will remain five points clear of Sheffield United with only three to play – with Burnley hosting Sheffield United on Easter Monday.
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