Mark Smith

Sun 2 April 2023 16:10, UK

Paul Merson has admitted he would be surprised if Leeds United did not beat Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Tuesday 04 April at Elland Road.

The Sky Sports pundit watched the Whites lose 4-1 at Arsenal yesterday, but was impressed with their pace after a positive start crumbled at the Emirates.

Merson believes Forest will not be able to live with Leeds if they do the same in West Yorkshire, with the showdown crucial for both clubs in the relegation battle.

Speaking live on Sky Sports [01 April, 5:24], Merson looked ahead to the huge game at Elland Road in midweek as Javi Gracia looks for a reaction.

“I’d be surprised if they don’t beat Forest this week,” he said.

“I don’t see Forest being able to live with them at Elland Road if they play with the pace they do. For me, I think it’s a big game for Leeds this week.”

Huge.

Javi Gracia has done a lot of good work since his arrival at Elland Road, but that would mean nothing if this week went badly for the Whites.

Leeds start a run of three consecutive home games against Nottingham Forest, with Crystal Palace to follow over the Easter weekend – with six points a real possibility.

Winning those two games would be huge, not only for morale but for our Premier League status, which could easily be decided by the outcome of them.

Six points would no doubt shoot Leeds towards 12th, with the bottom nine teams all still in the race to be relegated from the Premier League and into the Championship.

Forest are awful away from home, that is a fact, so Leeds cannot afford to give them any hope that could change at Elland Road with a fast start, and hopefully an early goal.

All eyes are on Elland Road, with everything crossed for a very successful week.

In other Leeds United news, there are fears one injured Elland Road ace might never fully recover after the latest development.

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