Leeds United and Sunderland automatic promotion prediction shared by pundit
Leeds United are automatic promotion contenders while Sunderland are unlikely to be there come the end of the season, believes Carlton Palmer.
Despite the Black Cats being the only side in the league to have a 100 per cent record thus far, Palmer does not see them being able to sustain this form and be in the top two after 46 games.
Leeds, on the other hand, had a slow start, but appear to have found their way recently and sit in fourth spot.
Palmer told Football League World on 2 September: “Sunderland have made a brilliant start to the Championship season, and they top the Championship on 12 points.
“Maximum points… it’s an unbelievable start to the season. But are they promotion contenders? Look, it’s really difficult to say because it is really early on in the season. But they have beaten Burnley.
“Burnley themselves came out the blocks really quickly, and I fancy them to get automatic promotion. But Sunderland beat them, and they are winning games in unbelievable fashion. The way they’re playing and closing teams down so quickly.
“But you look at the teams that they have beaten: Cardiff – I don’t think they will be in the top seven or eight, Sheffield Wednesday – I think they may be around the play-offs, Burnley – a really good win, and Portsmouth have just been promoted.
“Their tests will come. Plymouth away next, and I think they will beat Plymouth. Then they’ve got a good test against Middlesbrough, who I think will be around the play-offs.
“That will give us a good indication to where Sunderland will be this season. Especially after they lost a very important player in Jack Clarke.
“He provided a lot of assists, and scored 12 goals last season. So, it’s a bit early to say but they have got off to a good start.
“Le Bris has done very well and he has obviously brought a feel-good factor to the club. But they have a lot of young players and the transfer window has gone now and is closed.
“So, it will be interesting to see how they go, but it’s a fantastic start. I don’t see them as automatic promotion contenders, I really don’t.
“I just think Burnley and Leeds will be very strong, and Sheffield United will be very strong as well after coming down.”
Daniel Farke has a challenge on his hands to get Leeds United to do better than last season
For Farke, enhancing defensive solidity will be paramount, given last season’s occasional lapses.
The German might implement a more robust tactical setup, possibly tweaking the formation or emphasising a higher defensive line to disrupt opposition plays earlier.
Squad rotation and player management will be crucial and it remains to be seen how the manager handles it given the number of high-profile exits.
Farke could experiment with different line-ups in less critical matches to keep the squad fresh and competitive throughout the season.
Improving set-piece efficiency, both defensively and offensively, could provide the marginal gains needed for promotion.
While Leeds may not be everyone’s number-one pick, they’ve got what it takes to be consistent over a 46-game season and get the points needed to finish in the top two.
In other Leeds United news, a £15m update emerged as the Whites were set to hold talks to sign a player with 90 Premier League appearances.
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