Leeds United have their work cut out if they are to move out of the Premier League relegation zone this weekend - according to the pundits. The Whites entertain third-placed Newcastle in what will be Sam Allardyce's first game in charge at Elland Road.
Eddie Howe's Magpies are pushing for a Champions League place and, while both sides suffered defeat last time out, the pressure is on the home side to get a positive result after everything went against them last weekend.
Wins for Nottingham Forest and Everton pushed Leeds into the bottom three, but Allardyce has had a full week working with his squad and wants to see a response in front of the Elland Road faithful. Unfortunately, the pundits are giving them much hope - here's what they had to say.
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Paul Merson
"This is a game that could have major ramifications in the top-four race and the relegation battle. If Newcastle United win this, they’d only need one more win to secure a top-four spot. It’s a massive football game," Merson told sportskeeda.
"Leeds need to win this match. But I can’t see anything but a Newcastle United win here. Sam Allardyce needed more time. They still have to face Newcastle United, West Ham and Tottenham and none of them are favourable fixtures for Leeds United.
"I’m going to go with Newcastle United here. I don’t see Newcastle not qualifying for the Champions League. Despite a rather tough set of fixtures coming up, they should be able to make it to the promised land."
Prediction: Leeds 0-2 Newcastle
Chris Sutton
"I understand why Leeds can take heart from the scoreline in their 2-1 defeat at Manchester City last week, but the way the game went for the first 85 minutes or so was far less encouraging for Sam Allardyce's side," Sutton said on the BBC.
"After this game, Leeds have got West Ham away and Tottenham at home to end their season. At this point it is difficult to know how many points they will need to stay up, but they simply have to get something from this game.
"A win would probably lift them out of the bottom three and would be absolutely massive, but I just don't see it happening."
Prediction: Leeds 1-3 Newcastle.
Mark Lawrenson
"Although Leeds were all right against Manchester City they could have conceded six to be honest," Lawrenson told Paddy Power. "It’s Sam Allardyce’s first game at home but I think Newcastle will win this as they need to get back on the horse.
Prediction Leeds 0-2 Newcastle.
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