Chris Sutton predicts winner of Leeds United showdown v Nottingham Forest for BBC Sport
Chris Sutton believes the Elland Road faithful can roar Leeds United to victory in their Premier League relegation showdown against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday (4 April).
The Whites were defeated 4-1 by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last weekend, a result which left the club languishing in the Premier League’s relegation zone.
However, writing for the BBC Sport website, Sutton predicted that Leeds could deliver a knockout blow in West Yorkshire and come away 2-0 victors over their direct relegation rivals.
Due to the tightly packed nature of the Premier League table this season, such a win could see Javi Gracia’s side climb as high as 13th position.
Sutton wrote: “This is a huge game for both clubs, but particularly Nottingham Forest – they have not won since they beat Leeds at the City Ground on 5 February, seven games ago.
“I’ve mentioned my relegation ‘worryometer’ before and Forest still worry me, a lot. I can’t put my finger on why their away form is so bad, but it really is terrible. They have the worst record in the top flight, with one win and six points in total from 13 games on the road.
“It’s a blow for Leeds to be without Willy Gnonto and Tyler Adams, who are both injured, but the home crowd will be really up for this and I fear for Forest at Elland Road.”
Under the lights
The importance of this relegation showdown to Leeds United cannot be underestimated.
Three points at this stage of the season are pivotal, let alone against a direct rival, and if the club could climb into 13th position it would be a massive boost to morale in West Yorkshire.
Although Tyler Adams remains out with injury, the Elland Road faithful will be crossing their fingers that either one of Willy Gnonto or Max Wober will be deemed fit enough to feature.
Gracia was non-commital in regards to both players’ injuries in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, but having either player back would be a huge boost to the club’s fortunes.
Considering Nottingham Forest’s dire away record in the Premier League this season, along with the raucous atmosphere that is likely to greet them in West Yorkshire, there won’t be many better opportunities to pick up three points than this crunch clash.
In other Leeds United news, a teenager now looks closer than ever to his debut after what he did at Thorp Arch during the international break with Javi Gracia taking note.
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