Former Leeds player Tony Dorigo has delivered his verdict on what promises to be a barnstorming Championship game between Leeds and Swansea on Wednesday night.
Both clubs are hopeful of promotion, with Leeds in much the better position. Marcelo Bielsa’s men are currently second after being leapfrogged at the top by Norwich, following a string of disappointing results.
Dorigo thinks Leeds will put that behind them tonight, with a 2-0 win, and that would be a doubly sweet victory for Leeds after Swansea pulled out of a deal to sell winger Daniel James on deadline day.
Dorigo has said that if he was James he wouldn’t want to play in the game tonight.
Talking on the latest episode of the LS11 podcast, Dorigo also said that James was a massive loss for Leeds.
“What a miss. What an absolute miss for Leeds” Dorigo said when asked about the failed transfer.
“For it to end how it did, I don’t know how I’d feel. Would he like to play? I wouldn’t, I don’t see it as an easy situation.
“I think we [Leeds] will win. It’s difficult for fans to understand, but the off-field stuff will have an effect. Now it’s starting to stick for Swansea. They are a decent side, they play good football but Oli McBurnoe is a fitness doubt. Whether he plays or not, I think we start nice and quick, just please don’t concede the first goal.
“I often say Leeds will concede first but I’m not tonight, I think we win 2-0.”
OPINION
The Daniel James debacle will still be smarting with Leeds fans and staff, and it will definitely add an extra element to the game tonight. We wouldn’t be surprised if he isn’t named on the bench tonight as he’ll have a huge spotlight on his head. As for the game, Leeds should win it but they’ve really struggled to put any results together recently and it’s vital they get off to a fast start. Their second-half displays have been much better than their first 45 minutes this season, but they can’t keep coming from behind. A quick goal should put the nerves at rest and then Leeds can play the football they want and dictate the pace of the game. We think 2-0 sounds like a fair bet.