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da bet sport： Speaking on Quest’s EFL highlights show Dean Ashton tipped Leeds United for success, but not in the way many Whites fans would have wanted.
The former West Ham striker gave a bittersweet prediction on the Yorkshire club’s future.
What’s been said then?
The former England striker stated that he expects Aston Villa to win the playoffs this season, but he thinks Leeds won’t be far behind them in terms of promotion to the Premier League as he tipped Marcelo Bielsa’s side to win the Championship next season.
While doing punditry on EFL on Quest, Ashton Said: (Via HITC) “Well, I think Aston Villa will get promoted this season, so Leeds will be champions next season.
“And Middlesbrough I fancy as well. And Huddersfield to go up via the playoffs.”
The 35-year-old’s forecast will not go down well with Leeds supporters as they expect the club to go up via the playoffs this year.
Been figured out
There are so many variables that had to come together at the right time to brew up a perfect storm for Leeds to challenge for promotion this season. It’s hard to see that happening again, especially considering their recent run.
Bielsa’s style of play was revolutionary when he first arrived in the Championship. No team could deal with the intense pressing style that the Argentine brought to Elland Road, meaning that the Yorkshire club topped the table for several weeks.
The reality is that the Argentine has been figured out in this division, as shown by the form table since the midway point.
They have only been the ninth best team in the league during the second half of the season, and as more and more teams figure out how to deal with their style, they will continue to become unstuck.
There are many teams more likely to win the league than Leeds next season, and the trauma of losing in the playoffs may damage their chances of going up in the 2019/20 campaign.