Danny Higginbotham sticks with Sheffield United finishing above Leeds United & praises the ‘outstanding’ Patrick Bamford

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Leeds United are four wins away from making an emotional return to the Premier League.

Danny Higginbotham has claimed that ‘it would be wrong’ for him to change his prediction that Sheffield United will secure automatic promotion ahead of Leeds.

The Sky Sports pundit backed Marcelo Bielsa’s side to beat Wigan on Friday afternoon and praised the ‘outstanding’ talent that is Patrick Bamford.

But he admitted that the following games are the ones that will be ‘concerning’ because they play a tricky Brentford team and in-form Aston Villa.

Speaking to Match Centre on Sky Sports News (18/04/2019 11:55 am), Higginbotham made it clear that he is sticking with the Blades securing that final automatic spot.

“They’ve got Bamford now coming into his own. He’s an outstanding player. He looks like he’s a real positive and bonus,” Higginbotham told Match Centre. “If you look at the run-in, Leeds you say you would fancy them against Wigan.

“The next two games are the ones that can be concerning. You don’t know what Brentford are going to turn up. Then they play Villa at home, they are the in-form team in the league.

“Sheffield United, you look at their run-in, on paper, it’s easier than what Leeds United is. Bu the injuries they have then just brings that down a little. It’s so tough to call. I said last week Sheffield United to go up automatically. I’m still going to stick with it for now. It would be wrong to change it just like that.”

The next two games could well decide Leeds promotion fate because if they pick up maximum points and Chris Wilder’s side only pick up a point then automatic promotion will be secured.

But, as seen in previous weeks, it’s not going be that easy and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the race for second spot go to the final day of the season.

Either way, Bielsa and his players are in the driving seat and they will be well aware that they just need to win their remaining games and a return to the promised land will be confirmed.