Leeds United host Stoke City on Sunday in both teams’ first games of the new Championship season.
It is an incredibly intriguing game coming up on Sunday. Few quite know what to expect from Bielsa’s tenure with the Whites following his surprise appointment and some very interesting pre-season results.
Meanwhile, many expect Gary Rowett to lead the Potters to promotion at the first time of asking this season. Stoke have done some great business in the window and have held onto a number of key players, so it is little surprise that they appear to be many people’s favourites to go up.
Prutton insisted that he could see Stoke enjoying a remarkable season, but predicted that it will be Leeds who take the spoils in a pulsating curtain-raiser in Yorkshire.
“Marcelo Bielsa’s move to Leeds is yet more proof that the Championship is transforming into one of the most desirable leagues in the world to manage in! Win, lose or draw, there’s no doubt that it will be a fascinating season at Elland Road,” he told Sky Sports while explaining why he is expecting a 3-2 win for the Whites, with Barry Douglas opening the scoring.
“Stoke are the best-placed of all the relegated clubs to go straight back up with arguably the strongest squad in the league, and this really is Gary Rowett’s moment to shine. This could be a great game with plenty of goals, and I fancy Leeds to edge it.”
Leeds will certainly be desperate to get off to a flying start. On paper, their opening run of games appears to be amongst the toughest that any team in the division faces, so picking up some early wins will do wonders for their confidence and lay a real marker down regarding their promotion goals.
But with Bielsa’s arrival promising unpredictability in abundance, it seems incredibly difficult to work out whether Stoke will have little problem living up to their tag of title favourites on the opening day or whether Leeds will be able to trip the Potters up at the first hurdle.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
