Leeds United: Ally McCoist makes new promotion verdict ahead of Middlesbrough game
Ally McCoist insisted Leeds United have to win their clash against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium if they want to keep their hopes of automatic promotion alive.
The Rangers legend insisted that Daniel Farke’s side will have to take nine points from their remaining three games against Boro, Queens Park Rangers and Southampton.
He did, however, explain that the game would not be an easy one, stating that Leeds would not have chosen a trip to the Riverside, based on Boro’s recent run of form.
Speaking live on talkSPORT [22 April, 09:25am], McCoist shared: “It’s one of these games where, if Leeds were to pick and choose a place to go to, it would not be Middlesbrough on current form.
“They’ve got to win. If they harbour any real hopes of automatic promotion, they’ve got to look at their next three games and take nine points, it’s as simple as that.”
Ally McCoist shares Leeds promotion verdict live on talkSPORT
With Farke’s side currently third in the Championship, they know they will have to win the rest of their games and hope either Leicester or Ipswich slip if they are to achieve promotion via the automatic places this season.
Failure to do so will see them qualify for the playoffs, where Leeds historically have suffered, and they will want to avoid the uncertainty and chaos element that comes along with the knockout competition.
This comes after Jeff Stelling insisted that the clash at the Riverside will be “massive” in determining whether the club is promoted this season, while the home side remains on a nine-game unbeaten run in the Championship.
While the playoffs look like they may be too far away from Boro at this stage to harbour any real hopes of getting themselves in, their recent run of form is nothing to be sniffed at and they will prove a tough challenge for Leeds.
In other Leeds United news, Glenn Murray has shared a “worrying” promotion verdict.
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