‘Leeds lost themselves’ – David Prutton predicts score in Leeds clash v Nottingham Forest
Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has predicted goals and a share of the spoils in the Championship clash between Leeds United and Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
The two teams meet in the late kick-off with Forest one of the chasing pack who have clawed back an 11-point deficit to the top-two since Christmas.
A win for Forest would shrink the gap between the two teams to just a single point but Prutton thinks that the spoils will be shared at the City Ground.
Writing in his column on the Sky Sports website Prutton said, “Nottingham Forest missed a real chance last weekend. A goal up at Birmingham and a penalty shortly before half-time to double their lead. Had Lewis Grabban converted you feel that they would have gone on to win the game and move to within a point of Leeds.
“Leeds lost themselves at home to Wigan, and it will be interesting to see if Jean-Kevin Augustin is in Marcelo Bielsa’s squad on Saturday, as they certainly could have done with his presence in that defeat. I can’t split these two.”
He has predicted an entertaining 2-2 draw, which certainly wouldn’t be the worst result for Leeds.
Prutton talks about Augustin but it’s looking unlikely that he’s going to get his first outing on Saturday.
Marcelo Bielsa launched into a long defence of his methods when asked about Augustin’s involvement in today’s press conference and hinted that the striker was only 50% fit.
It means Patrick Bamford will almost certainly be leading the line for Leeds after a week when he’s suffered a stream of abuse from fans online.
The misfiring striker appeared unbowed as he sent a Twitter message out on Wednesday night praising the 1,400 Leeds fans who made the trip to Old Trafford to watch the Under-18s take on Man United.
That was a classy gesture but football being football, the only way he’ll truly get all the fans back onside is by getting on the scoresheet and helping Leeds to the three points at the City Ground.
The bookies have Leeds as the favourites to do just that at around evens. Forest are as high as 11/4 to beat Leeds with the draw at 5/2.
The first game between the two teams this season ended in a draw but Leeds dominated at Elland Road and were unlucky not to win it.
Leeds had 68% of possession, 15 shots to six, four on target to one and four big chances to two [SofaScore]. That they didn’t get all three points is the story of the season so far for Bielsa’s men.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Hand a transfer request in; Disgraceful’: Many Leeds fans fume at comments from senior club man