Leeds United

Merson: Leeds at a disadvantage in play-offs

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Paul Merson has delivered a worrying verdict on Leeds’ play-off hopes, claiming they are already at a disadvantage in the race for promotion.

Leeds will likely play either Derby, Middlesbrough or Bristol City and they won’t know who until after the final-day fixtures.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson claimed this could have a negative effect on Marcelo Bielsa’s side: “Villa and West Brom sort of know each other they are going to be playing each other, Leeds won’t have a clue who they are playing yet.”

The ex-Villa midfielder went on to add: “Because there are three teams, they have got to wait to literally the last day of the season to know if it’s going to be Bristol City, Derby or Middlesbrough.”

OPINION

Leeds and Marcelo Bielsa will be fully concentrated on their final game of the season against Ipswich. The importance for momentum going in to the play-offs overshadows the need to know who Leeds will be coming up against. Bielsa has already revealed the amount of knowledge he has on every Championship side with their in-depth scouting on each individual players. This will be no worry for Leeds and their staff as they will have a week to prepare for the first leg which is on the Saturday after the final game of the season. The gap is no different to the gap between fixtures in the regular season and the homework done on teams in that space has been incredibly effective. Every team will know what to expect from each other after playing twice in the season and their styles are unlikely change in games with such magnitude and importance. The fact Leeds don’t know their opponent just yet shouldn’t be a disadvantage to them and a win at Ipswich on Sunday would be the perfect preparation for a huge couple of weeks in the history of the Whites.

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