Newcastle United host Leeds United in a crucial game near the top of the Championship.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk shakes hands with Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
David Prutton has told Sky Sports that he is expecting Newcastle United and Leeds United to play out a hard-fought draw when they meet at St James’ Park tonight.
The game is undoubtedly a crucial one towards the top of the Championship, with the Magpies chasing automatic-promotion while Leeds will be hoping to consolidate their position inside the play-off places.
Garry Monk’s men will also be looking to avenge their defeat to Newcastle back in November, when two goals from Dwight Gayle ended their three-match winning run in the league during their ascent up the table that had followed a slow start.
Unfortunately for Whites fans, Prutton expects Rafa Benitez’s men to put the same number of goals past Rob Green in the upcoming meeting, but also expects Leeds to come away with a share of the points.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
“This is a tough call. Newcastle fans don’t like me going against them yet when I backed them to draw against Sheffield Wednesday they lost,” he told Sky Sports when explaining why he is expecting a 2-2 draw.
“Leeds, meanwhile, came good at Preston after a couple of defeats. It’s the business end of the season and for that reason I foresee a hard-fought draw at St James’ Park.”
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
While Newcastle’s desire to move to within touching distance of automatic-promotion will surely mean that they will have no problem finding motivation for the game, there are a couple of factors that will be driving Leeds on in what promises to be a tough game.
The Magpies’ record at home is slightly worse than their performance on the road this term – although, it is still extremely impressive – and Leeds will be desperate to prove just how much they have improved since they were comfortably beaten earlier this season, especially as a victory will send the perfect message out to the sides hoping to beat them to promotion.
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