talkSPORT pundit Ally McCoist has said that the Championship play-off final at Wembley will be contested by Leeds and Aston Villa, ahead of the semi-final second legs on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
Both teams have a one-goal advantage from the first legs on Saturday. Aston Villa travel to the Hawthorns with a 2-1 lead on Tuesday before Leeds host Derby at Elland Road with a 1-0 lead on Wednesday night.
Talking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast Show (Monday, talkSPORT, 8am) McCoist was in no doubt about who would contest the final next Monday.
“I expect Aston Villa and Leeds to be playing in the play-off final at Wembley,” McCoist said when asked for his prediction.
OPINION
Aston Villa have the slightly tougher job on paper, having to take their one-goal lead to the Hawthorns. Leeds are a goal up and play at home on Wednesday and no team has come back from a deficit when playing at home in the first leg in play-off history. However, Villa’s task was made easier after Dwight Gayle was sent off towards the end of the first leg, leaving him suspended for both the second leg of the semi-final and the final itself if West Brom manage to progress. That’s a huge blow for James Shan’s side but anything is possible in a local derby. By contrast, striker Patrick Bamford is back for Leeds after missing the first leg through suspension. Aston Villa and Leeds were the two favourites to make the final and it seems fated that they’re going to meet again after their explosive clash towards the end of the season. It should be an absolute belter.