Tony Cascarino predicts Leeds United survival chances ahead of ‘no love lost’ clash at Brentford
Tony Cascarino has predicted Leeds United to be the final Premier League side to be relegated, with Everton and Burnley to survive.
The talkSPORT pundit feels that the Whites will be beaten in their final game of the season at Brentford on Sunday (22 May) which will allow Burnley to overhaul the one-point gap across their last two games.
The late draw with Brighton in the previous match has given Jesse Marsch’s side a chance, but the Clarets have a game in hand, and with far superior goal difference they only have to better United’s result against the Bees in one of their remaining two.
Making his prediction in The Times, Cascarino said: “I fear for Leeds. That late point against Brighton will have been great for morale but going to Brentford will not be easy.
“There is no love lost between those two sides from their many clashes in the Championship in recent years and in front of their home crowd Brentford will be keen to end their first season in the Premier League in style.
“I could see Leeds losing that game which means Everton can lose both of their final games and that Burnley need only a point to survive. Mike Jackson has got Burnley united and though they’ve lost games recently do I think they can get a point out of Villa and/or Newcastle? Yes.
“Outcome: Leeds relegated, Burnley and Everton survive.”
Knife edge
Without Pascal Struijk’s late leveller at Elland Road at the weekend it might already be a done deal, with Brentford in ominous form.
Thomas Frank’s side have only lost once since March and have beaten both Chelsea and West Ham while drawing with Tottenham in that period.
It isn’t beyond the realms of possibility that the Whites can get a result against them on what is sure to be a hectic final day, but it is far from a sure outcome.
However, with a slim advantage over Burnley there is hope to cling to with the idea that they fail to pick up another point.
Their run of victories came to an end against Aston Villa who they face again already in mid-week, so the hope has to be that Steven Gerrard knows how to get the best of them.
Newcastle are a far-improved side since their January signings and Eddie Howe is surely favourite to get a result against his former side.
It isn’t a comfortable position to be in to rely on other team’s failures but that might be United’s best hope now.
In other Leeds United news, Jamie Carragher was delighted to see one unsung hero in the late move for Struijk’s goal avoid doing something he hates.