Gary Lineker shares Premier League relegation conspiracy after ‘huge’ Leeds United claim on Match of the Day
Gary Lineker believes Leeds United face a “huge” game against West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday as they bid to win Premier League survival.
Everton’s point at Wolves on Saturday (21 May) means Leeds are now two points away from safety. Nottingham Forest’s shock win over Arsenal means they are now mathematically safe.
Two of Everton, Leeds and Leicester will go down to the Championship and Lineker is clearly fearful for his beloved Foxes, who face Champions League-chasing Newcastle on Monday (22 May) and currently sit 19th.
Speaking on Match of the Day on Saturday night (20 May, 27m50s), Lineker said: “For some of us, it makes awfully grim reading but we’ll have a gander, nevertheless.
“Congratulations [to Forest], I’m thrilled for you. I really, genuinely am.
“Huge game [on Sunday], Leeds v West Ham. Leicester obviously play on Monday against Newcastle. Again, it’s four Mondays on the bounce so I don’t know whether this is some kind of plan to make sure Leicester go down. Conspiracy theory there.”
Alan Shearer butted in to say: “Oh, stop it.”
Doomed
When you look at the remaining fixtures, Leeds have it the toughest.
Everton’s one remaining game is at home against Bournemouth, who’ve been safe for a while and although they’ve been playing well, you’d imagine the Toffees would probably win that one at Goodison Park.
Leeds will need to beat West Ham on Sunday (21 May) if they’re to have any chance of survival because Tottenham, who Leeds play at Elland Road in their final match of the season next week, will be fighting for a spot in Europe.
Still, Spurs are in dire form and could be beaten by any team in the Premier League.
Leicester have Newcastle away on Monday and then play West Ham at home next week.
Two of these three teams will be relegated in front of their home fans and after Everton’s point at Wolves, which was won with a 100th-minute Yerry Mina equaliser, you’d have to make them favourites to stay up.
In other Leeds United news, Jeff Stelling reacted on Sky Sports News to what Leeds have done.