Former Arsenal star and current Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has predicted that Leeds United will score a handful of goals when Bolton Wanderers visit Elland Road this weekend.
The Whites play host to the Trotters in a top versus bottom clash in the Championship, Marcelo Bielsa’s side seeking promotion back to the Premier League while their counterparts, who have been in the top flight more recently, are battling against the threat of relegation.
In what he dubs a “big game” for Leeds, Merson is expecting that the home side will also boost their goal difference in a 3-0 win.
He told Sky Sports News (22/02, 11:30): “Bolton struggling. I watched Bolton last week get ripped by Norwich at home, three days before that they were winning at Birmingham.
“But I expect Leeds to win this game, I’d be shocked if they didn’t win, it’s a big game for Leeds.”
Opinion
Leeds fans would love a comfortable victory to settle the nerves in the hunt for promotion, with all their rivals sealing positive results over the last seven days to keep the pressure on Bielsa and his men. At the end of the day it could all come down to their goal difference and a boost of three this weekend would do the Whites’ chances no harm in the slightest. They actually have the lowest goal difference in the top four by quite some margin, Norwich City six ahead of them as the second lowest. They will of course go top of the pile once again if they do win this game and sealing all three points, by hook or by crook, has got to be the priority. Adding a couple of goals to their tally against a side struggling at the bottom of the table would be an added bonus, but one which could play its part when we get to the final stages of the season.