Blogs

Prutton predicts Stoke v Leeds

|
Image for Prutton predicts Stoke v Leeds

Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has predicted that Leeds will heap more misery on Stoke in Saturday’s Championship clash at the bet365 Stadium.

It’s top against bottom, with Leeds flying high and unbeaten while Stoke have just one point from their first four games.

“Stoke are in trouble,” Prutton wrote in his regular Sky Sports column.

“Bottom of the league already, and Nathan Jones is under real pressure. Jack Butland should be the best goalkeeper in the Championship but he has really struggled so far.

“Leeds, meanwhile, seem to have picked up a bit of a gem in Eddie Nketiah. If he can keep making the kind of impact he did against Brentford on Wednesday night then they will have a real shot at automatic promotion. They should have too much for Stoke.”

Nketiah a game-changer

Eddie Nketiah has made two appearances for Leeds and scored two goals. On Wednesday night against Brentford, he came on in the 77th minute with the score at 0-0 and his side in danger of dropping two points after dominating the match.

According to WhoScored, Leeds had 70% possession and an 81% pass success rate compared to 56% for Brentford.

Nketiah took just four minutes to score and the goal was almost identical to his first for the club against Salford. Both came from crosses from the right from Helder Costa and both were simple tap-ins.

Neither player has started in the Championship yet for Leeds but both must be knocking on the door. This was a game Leeds would likely have drawn last season.

Stoke in trouble

Things are looking bleak for Stoke. When they were relegated in the summer of 2018 they were installed as favourites to go straight back up. A 3-1 defeat to Leeds on the opening day of the 18/19 season set the tone for their campaign and they finished 16th.

This season isn’t going any better so far and while Leeds are as short as 4/9 to get promoted with some bookies, Stoke are 12/1.

Leeds can’t underestimate Nathan Jones’ side though. They earned their only point of the season against Derby County and will be looking to kick-start their season and make a statement of intent on Saturday.

Share this article