Robbie Savage revealed that he hoped Leeds United and Derby County would win promotion to the Premier League even though it isn’t possible for them both to go up.
The outspoken pundit shared that he was rooting for both of those clubs in the Championship play-offs, but admitted that he thought Derby currently had the upper hand over Leeds.
Savage added that he had recently watched Leeds play Wigan before claiming Marcelo Bielsa’s side crumbled against Brentford, and that he thought Derby currently had more momentum with the play-offs looming.
“I hope Leeds and Derby go up, with Villa and West Brom there,” said Savage on BBC Radio 5 Live (19:09, Saturday April 27th).
“I hope they would both go up, I know they can’t both go up I know that, as it looks like they’ll play each other as it stands in the play-offs, Leeds, third, play Derby, sixth.
“I think it’s about momentum at this stage and I’ve watched Leeds recently, the game against Wigan, where you failed to beat Wigan who had 10-men.
“You go to Brentford, you should have had a penalty, Bamford, but you crumbled and momentum at this stage of the season is key and Derby have that.
“To go to Bristol City and win 2-0, didn’t play great against QPR but won, momentum and confidence is with Derby, I understand why the Derby fan said it (that they were going up) and why you’ve come on to say you hammered them 6-1 across the two games, I get that, it’ll be an intriguing game at this time of the season.
“But if it was now and you had to play them tomorrow, I think Derby will have the upper hand.”
OPINION
Savage is really going to have Leeds fans fearing the worst as he seems not to be confident about their chances in the play-offs. The pundit wasn’t convinced of Leeds being able to overcome Derby even when a Leeds supporter phoned in to point out how Bielsa’s side had crushed Derby in both of their games this season. While Leeds fans will be worried by Savage’s remarks, they might actually feel the same way. Momentum is key going into the play-offs and after having automatic promotion within reach, the fact Leeds have dropped the ball so spectacularly won’t leave them filled with confidence about the play-offs. The Championship play-offs are a glorified lottery and while Leeds’ squad are more than capable of winning them, you do fear whether they’ll be out of juice after an amazing season. Yet Leeds fan can take confidence from the fact their side have a knack for defying the odds. Everyone seemed to write the club off when their form dropped a few months ago, and they responded by racking up result after result. So maybe the disappointment of not finishing second, could be enough to see them win the play-offs.