Paul Merson: Leeds United to stay in Premier League, Burnley will get relegated
Paul Merson has backed Leeds United to remain in the Premier League this season ahead of their finale against Brentford on Sunday afternoon.
The Whites have been predicted to avoid relegation after their “Massive” equaliser against Brighton over the past weekend, with Pascal Struijk heading home in added time.
Burnley have a game-in-hand at Aston Villa before taking on Newcastle, but Merson doesn’t expect them to get any points, leaving them in the bottom three heading into the final day.
Writing in his latest column for Sky Sports late on Tuesday night [17 May], Merson made the major prediction for the Premier League finale.
“If I had to pick which camp I’d rather be in out of the relegation candidates, it’d be Leeds because of that point against Brighton – one that I think will keep them up,” he wrote.
“I was covering their game on Sunday and Pascal Struijk’s late equaliser was a massive goal for them.
“I don’t expect Burnley to get anything at Aston Villa, so it will be completely out of their hands with one game to go – which is not where you want to be.
“Yes, they have Newcastle at home and Leeds have Brentford away, but it should be in those two teams’ hands.”
Nerves.
This week is going to be one of them weeks where each minute feels like an hour.
Burnley having that game in hand is going to be a killer in the build-up, and watching it will be even worst on Thursday evening, with our support going to Aston Villa.
We’re hoping that Steven Gerrard will keep his side as strong as possible, despite their potential title-deciding clash with Manchester City on the final day.
Each spot in the Premier League is worth millions, so you would like to think that he will name his strongest side and go for all three points at Villa Park.
Spurs weren’t great against the Clarets last week, so we hope for more from one of our fiercest rivals.
Going into the final day knowing all we have to do is better their result would be huge, and if Burnley lose their final two games, they will be relegated – fingers crossed.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has shared if Andrea Radrizzani heard fans chants during the Brighton draw