David Prutton predicts if Leeds United can mount promotion charge, names two automatic clubs

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David Prutton predicts Leeds can hang in the play-off race, but tips Newcastle and Brighton to put a stranglehold on the top two places.

Former Leeds United midfielder David Prutton has told Sporting Life that he believes Garry Monk’s impressive side can keep pace in the play-off race.

Over the past few seasons Leeds have failed to crack the top 10, and spent the campaign in Championship mid-table mediocrity.

Former Leeds United midfielder David Prutton

This campaign despite a shaky start, Leeds have put a run of wins together and have risen to sixth place in the league.

Prutton believes they can maintain their challenge, rather than expecting them to fall away.

Leeds manager Garry Monk

He said: “They’ve already jumped up to sixth but I’m going to go for Leeds to stay in contention and maybe climb a little bit higher.

“We’ve heard less and less about the off-field issues and more about results on the pitch which is exactly as it should be. Garry Monk rode the wave of the initial chaos and he’s done really, really well.

“It strikes me that if they are in the play-offs when we reach January then the owner has to think it’s worth spending big money in the transfer window.”

Leeds United players celebrate after the match

There have been just 16 of 46 regular season Championship games so far, so Leeds have a long way to go if they are to clinch a play-off spot.

Their current form has the Whites listed with SkyBet at 12/1 to win promotion back to the Premier League this season, and 11/4 for a top six finish.

Prutton, who played for Leeds between 2007 and 2010, believes that Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion already have the top two spots sewn up.

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez talks with Newcastle United’s Ciaran Clark

He said: “I’ve been so impressed by Huddersfield’s start but it will have to be Brighton and Newcastle. The experience from last season in the promotion race will serve Brighton well and Newcastle have so much firepower.”

With so much football to be played, predicting the status quo to remain the same in such an unpredictable league is asking to be wrong, but judging on the games played so far, it does not seem ludicrous that the Seagulls and Magpies will both be soaring in the Premier League next season.