Neil Redfearn has backed Leeds United to win automatic promotion from the Championship ahead of Sheffield United.
The former Leeds manager shared that he just had a feeling Marcelo Bielsa’s side could beat the Blades to second place, as he believes the cracks are starting to show in Chris Wilder’s squad.
Redfearn shared that while he was impressed by Sheffield United’s display against Forest, he was backing Leeds ahead of them as the telling difference between the two may be whose squad is least affected by injuries.
“I do, I’ve just got this feeling, y’know regardless of the pressures, there’s just this little signs starting to show,” said Redfearn on talkSPORT (9:13am, Monday April 22nd).
“I did the Sheffield United game on Friday and they were brilliant against Forest, they played great football and they’ve been a pleasure to watch all season, but they’re just starting to get one or two niggles, Egan was suspended y’know Sharp and Basham had hamstring strains.
“And they’re just starting to crack a little bit regarding the strength of their squad, and that maybe the telling difference.”
OPINION
This verdict on the race for promotion will have Leeds fans buzzing. Redfearn watched Sheffield United first-hand on Friday yet seems convinced they’ll likely end up in the play-off races. It seems the former Whites manager is resigned to Norwich City taking up one of the automatic promotion places, and is understandable why he feels that way. It does seems to be a one-on-one battle between the Blades and Leeds when it comes to automatic promotion and both will be hoping to avoid the play-offs. While both sides are confident in their ability, they’re no doubt aware that the play-offs are a glorified lottery. Leeds took a huge blow regarding their promotion hopes on Friday by losing to Wigan, and they can’t afford to drop the ball again. However the Whites face a tricky tie on Monday against Brentford, so not dropping the ball again may be harder said than done.