Sky pundit Keith Andrews predicts fate of Leeds United and Aston Villa in race for promotion

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Keith Andrews has told Sky Sports that Leeds United will defeat Aston Villa in this season’s Championship play-off final.

The Whites are still in the hunt for automatic promotion but the Sky pundit thinks Norwich and Sheffield United will claim the top two places.

That will leave Marcelo Bielsa’s men to negotiate the lottery of the play-offs.

Leeds travel to Preston North End tonight, currently a point behind the Blades who face Birmingham City tomorrow.

It will be an excruciating blow to whichever Yorkshire-based team misses out on the top two, with Norwich seemingly on the cusp of promotion now.

Andrews is of the belief that Leeds will miss out.

He told Sky Sports: “I would have to say I fancy Leeds. They will beat Aston Villa in the play-off final.”

In recent weeks Dean Smith’s Villa outfit have outlined their intentions.

They languished in mid-table six weeks ago but a remarkable run of six wins in succession has given them a quality chance of a play-0ff berth.

TBR Verdict

It’s very bold of Andrews to predict not just the play-off finalists, but who will win them too.

At this stage, it is just impossible to say what will take place in the coming weeks.

One thing that won’t work in Leeds’ favour is that notoriously the team that finishes third doesn’t go up.

Okay, so Fulham blew that perception out of the water last season but it’s not always that clean cut.

Leeds will want to finish the job without the play-offs.

One thing that is certain, is that whoever does qualify for the lottery of the play-offs won’t fancy playing Villa.

They have looked sensational in recent weeks and Smith’s squad is wonderfully talented.