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Jeff Stelling and Phil Thompson predict score for massive Leeds clash v Fulham
Leeds United face one of their main promotion rivals when they take on Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday and Sky Sports anchor Jeff Stelling thinks that Marcelo Bielsa’s men will come away with all three points.
It’s a big surprise that such a massive game hasn’t been picked for TV but that means fans get the rare luxury of a blockbuster tie playing out at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon.
The two teams might be rivals at the top of the Championship but they come into the game in vastly differing form.
Leeds are unbeaten in 11 and flying at the top. Fulham have lost the last three and slipped down the table to sixth.
They’re 12 points behind Leeds and a defeat for them would leave a huge gap to try and haul back in the second half of the season.
That’s exactly what Stelling thinks will happen.
In his Super Six predictions for Sky Sports, Stelling said, “Leeds could extend the gap they hold in the automatic promotion spots, and show no signs of letting up as they are unbeaten in 11.
“Their defence is strong under Marcelo Bielsa and I expect it to stand firm at Craven Cottage.”
He thinks it’s going to be a very tight game but has Leeds coming out 1-0 winners.
Former players Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson see the match playing out differently. They both predict a 2-2 draw.
Leeds fans would probably take any of those results.
A defeat would be a setback, a win would really cement their status as promotion favourites. A draw would keep a 12-point gap intact at the halfway stage of the season.
Whichever way you look at it, Leeds are in a very strong position.
Leeds are likely to make one change for the game, with Liam Cooper fit. With the threat of Aleksandar Mitrovic up front for Fulham, we think Cooper should come straight back in.
It will mean Gaetano Berardi dropping to the bench, which is harsh on a player who has done well in Cooper’s absence.
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