By Dan Carter

11th Sep, 2023 | 1:10pm

David Prutton makes 'very, very juicy' prediction ahead of Leeds United clash with Millwall

David Prutton has said that Leeds United have to win against Millwall to show they’re promotion contenders, with the Sky presenter expecting a “very, very juicy” clash.

Leeds return to action following the international break with a visit to the Den on Sunday (17 September) and with the transfer window now closed there is hope that Daniel Farke’s side can kick on and begin to climb up the Championship table after a mixed start to the season.

But Gary Rowett’s side have also had an up-and-down start to the season and Prutton believes that there is a bit of unrest among the Lions’ supporters having missed out on the playoffs on the final day of last season.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post (11 September) the Sky Sports host said: “Having played in these games both home and away, I know that they are very, very juicy indeed. I think for Leeds it’s quite a sharp welcome back.

“But with teams such as this, with the greatest respect to Millwall, if Leeds have got aspirations of knocking on the door of not only the top six but the top two then this is one that needs to come and go and coming back with three points from.”

Welcome back

Leeds United have the players and the manager at their disposal to be promoted back to the Premier League this season, it is now just a question of whether they’re able to pick up the results to find their way into the all-important top six places.

Millwall, especially at the Den, always pose an interesting challenge as a physical side that very rarely let teams settle into matches. But they have been beatable at home in the early stages of the campaign, losing to Bristol City in the league and Reading in the Carabao Cup.

If Farke’s side click and put in the sort of performance most fans expect from them, Rowett’s side shouldn’t have enough to contain the Whites’ attacking talent and it will be a case of whether or not Leeds can keep Millwall out.

But at the end of the day, this is the Championship we’re talking about and it is never as straightforward as it seems. Just because Leeds should have enough to beat Millwall doesn’t mean they definitely will come out on top and any lapses in concentration or focus will be exploited by the Lions.

In other Leeds United news, Angus Kinnear has compared the approaches of Daniel Farke and Marcelo Bielsa