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Higginbotham: I think Sheffield United will finish second

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Sky Sports pundit Danny Higginbotham has stuck by his prediction that Sheffield United will finish above Leeds, but said that matches on Friday and Monday are huge and could change everything. 

Sheffield United host Nottingham Forest on Friday before travelling to Hull on Monday, while Leeds play Wigan at Elland Road tomorrow and then go to Brentford. Both sides have four games left and Leeds are currently in pole position, with a three-point lead over their rivals.

Sheffield United also have suspension and injury problems, with John Egan out for a game after his red card, and Chris Basham and Billy Sharp major doubts for the game tomorrow through injury.

“Egan is suspended, Basham and Sharp, two huge players, are going to miss at least tomorrow,” said Higginbotham on Match Centre (Sky Sports, Thursday, 11.50am). “That’s a huge blow but the position Sheffield United are in they’ve got a lot more strength in depth, but it’s going to be tough.

“The run-ins and the injuries… If you look at the run-in, Leeds you’d have to fancy them against Wigan, it’s the next two that could be a little concerning. Brentford away, you don’t know which Brentford will turn up. If the Brentford that everyone knows is the strong Brentford turn up, they’re more than a match for anyone. If not, Leeds could get the victory. Then they play Villa who are the form team in the league at the moment. The next few games are going to be huge.

“Sheffield United, on paper, they’ve got an easier run-in, but the injuries they’ve got will just bring that down a little bit. It’s so tough to call. Last week I said Sheffield United to go up in second place… I’m going to stick with Sheffield United for now, but Friday and Monday could change everything.”

OPINION

That’s a big call for Higginbotham although it sounded like he was wavering a bit. If we had to put our money on a horse it would be the team that are three points in front with four games to play. The only real concern for Leeds is the Aston Villa game, but Leeds are playing that one at Elland Road and that gives them the edge with their fantastic support. One thing the Sky Sports pundit is right about is that the next few days could go a long way to determining who goes up and who has to go through the lottery of the play-offs. There’s even a scenario that sees Leeds promoted as early as Monday – if Sheffield United lose both their games, Leeds would only need a win and a draw from their games to guarantee top-flight football. That’s the main reason we can’t see Leeds slipping up now. 

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