Stoke City boss Nathan Jones has backed Leeds United to win promotion from the Championship following his second meeting with the side in a week.
Leeds thrashed Stoke 3-0 at the Britannia Stadium at the weekend in the Championship and the two sides met again in the EFL Cup last night.
Stoke won on penalties after Leeds fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 after 90 minutes, courtesy of goals from Eddie Nketiah and Helder Costa. It was a much-changed Leeds side and Stoke’s boss acknowledged just how good the Whites are in his post-match press conference.
Speaking to Leeds Live he stated he would put his house on Leeds going up if he wasn’t so attached to his current dwelling.
“If I didn’t really love my house. I’d put it on them being in the top two.”
TBR’s View
There is no doubt that Leeds have already lived up to their pre-season billing as Championship favourites.
However, the manner of their defeat today did perhaps highlight some of the shortcomings at Elland Road.
A much-changed Leeds side in the first-half struggled to get to grips with the game and it wasn’t until changes were made at half-time that Leeds earned their shootout chance.
It once again highlights just how important it is that Leeds keep their small squad fit throughout the season as the depth is simply not there for Leeds to compete otherwise.
But if they can keep the bulk of their squad fit throughout the majority of the campaign, betting on Leeds to go up is looking like a safe gamble for now.