Pundit gives Leeds United Premier League relegation prediction

Leeds United are ‘still in a battle’ to avoid relegation - but can retain their place in the Premier League if they continue to make the most of their home form.

That was the verdict of former Whites full-back Michael Gray as he assessed where his old club lie with the final third of the season lying ahead of them. Daniel Farke’s side endured a mixed return to the top flight of English football and were in the bottom three as December approached after a run of four defeats in five games was further extended by a 3-2 defeat at league title contenders Manchester City.

However, a slight tactical tweak during the second half of a much-improved display at the Etihad Stadium ignited a fine run of form that now consists of just two defeats in their last 13 games and the Whites have claimed wins against the likes of Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Fulham during that time. Farke’s men have also shown they can mix it with the best of the Premier League after claiming points at Liverpool and Chelsea over the last two months.

With just two defeats in 13 home games, there is little surprise Elland Road is providing a solid foundation for the push towards safety and Gray, who made 16 appearances during two loan stints with Leeds, believes the Premier League will be a better place if the Whites can avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

Gray, speaking exclusively to the Yorkshire Evening Post via BritishGambler said: “I think home form is key, and it was always going to be key for all three sides promoted from The Championship. We all know the Premier League is a better place for having Leeds in it, and we all know the Premier League is a better place for having Sunderland in it.

“I know Burnley are struggling and it looks like they might be heading back to The Championship, but after what we have had over the last few seasons, for two promoted sides to battle and stay in the Premier League for that season, it’s really refreshing. It really is because I think it was kind of getting repetitive and we were kind of get a little bit sick of it, it was boring and it was easy for the Premier League sides, the established payment Premier League sides, to turn around have a bad season, and at worst finish fourth bottom. That is not happening this season, Nottingham Forest down there, Tottenham we know are really struggling, West Ham as you mentioned that before, Brighton, Crystal Palace. They're all still in this battle because I've got a figure in my head and I think 40 points is the number that we're gonna have to reach.”

Fighting chance

One of the key reasons behind the Whites recent upturn in form has been the impact made by summer signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The former Everton striker has quelled any concerns over his fitness record by scoring ten goals in 25 appearances in all competitions and nine of those goals have come in his last 13 Premier League games. The powerful frontman has reignited talk of a possible return to the England setup with his performances since moving to Elland Road - and Gray believes the fact Calvert-Lewin is ‘back to his best’ means he should be in contention for a

He said: “Without a doubt. I’m pleased you’ve brought Dominic’s name up because I think that if you’re looking for a signing of the season, I think he’s in the second lane right now behind Granit Xhaka. He's been excellent, he really has. Along with a lot of people, I was probably one of the people thinking well, he's not fit, he's never fit, he's not gonna get the goals for you.

“But I think the way that Daniel managed him in the early stages when he signed for them, he was bringing him off the bench, then giving him 90 minutes, then he was leaving out for the next game until he got to the point where he felt he was match ready, match fit and that his body was ready for the battles you have every single week. Ready to play week in, week out in the Premier League and what's come from that is confidence. Goals brings confidence. Now he's that focal point when you play against Leeds, centre halves, whoever he’s playing against, you're thinking ‘crikey, we're in for a game today’. I don't think I've felt that with Dominic for about two or three seasons. He's back to his best and he's actually given himself a fighting chance of being on the plane to go to America as well.”

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