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Gray predicts Leeds clash v Sheffield Wednesday

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Leeds United legend Eddie Gray has named Sheffield Wednesday as the favourites for the north Yorkshire derby on Friday night but predicts the game will end in a draw.

The Owls play host to the Whites at Hillsborough with both sides coming off the back of differing results, with Wednesday defeating Aston Villa in their last outing while Marcelo Bielsa’s men suffered their first defeat of the campaign against Birmingham City, both matches ending 2-1.

Delivering his verdict on the clash under the floodlights, Gray insisted he was expecting a tight match but that Leeds have the mentality that they could snatch a win, although questioned the decision for bookmakers to name the Elland Road outfit as favourites.

The former Whites star told LUTV: “The new coach has instilled that (a positive attitude) in the players, regardless of how the game might be going. He still believes we’ve got players within our ranks to get something.

“You look at the game against Birmingham, we could have got something out of that at the end. I don’t think we deserved it. Regardless of who they’re playing they go out and think they can win the game.

“I’d be happy with a draw and I think it could be a draw – that would be a good result for us there.

“I don’t know if I agree with that (odd on Leeds as favourites). I’d have it the other way around – we’re the away side!”

Opinion

This is Leeds’ first test at bouncing back from what was a disappointing performance and result, and fans will be feeling pretty wary heading into the clash against Wednesday after last season. The Owls sunk the Whites both home and away, with Leeds had a tendency to struggle to bounce back to form when suffering a defeat, going on two notable runs of awful form where confidence was as low as possible. Things certainly seem different this time around and the Leeds players, marshalled and managed by Bielsa, have rarely let their heads drop even when things have not been going as they might have hoped. The travelling support will be hoping that positive outlook remains less than a week on from the loss versus the Blues and that they can bounce back to remain at the top of the table, second placed side Middlesbrough not playing until the weekend.

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