Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer disagree with Micah Richards over Leeds United’s play-off chances

Micah Richards has tipped Leeds United to secure an immediate return to the Premier League ahead of their Championship play-off semi-final this weekend.

Daniel Farke’s side travel to Carrow Road on Sunday lunchtime to face Norwich City, striving to replicate their triumphs over the Canaries during the regular season. The Whites won in East Anglia back in October, edging a five goal thriller as Crysencio Summerville’s late finish proved to be the difference.

But the lottery of the play-offs provides a different challenge for Leeds. Across their five previous play-off campaigns, they have failed to win any, the latest of which came at the hands of Derby County during the 2018/19 season.

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Speaking on the Rest Is Football podcast, Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer disagreed with Richards’ assessment and backed Southampton to emerge victorious in the knockout format. Russell Martin’s side take on West Brom later that afternoon in the other semi-final match-up.

“Southampton,” Shearer predicted. Lineker agreed with the former Newcastle United striker and went on to say: “I fancy Southampton – they have a bit of form again haven’t they at the right time.”

Shearer, who started his career at St Mary’s and made 133 for the Saints, admitted his affiliation with the club had somewhat influenced his prediction. He said: “They are on a good run, and I would think Southampton. It is not always that easy though is it?

“There is always a story that comes out of the play-offs, but I really hope for Southampton. I spent a few years down there and loved it when I started my career and they are a really good football club – I hope Southampton. “

But when asked for his prediction, Richards opted for Farke’s side to reach and win the Wembley final. The 35-year-old believed that the Whites’ abundance of attacking talent will be enough to get them over the line.

“I’m going to go with Leeds,” said Richards. “I just think in the last couple of weeks they have underperformed.

“They went on that amazing run didn’t they and then sort of fizzled out a little bit. But, the reason why I say Leeds is because in the forward areas, if they get it right, I believe they have the most quality. “

Lineker questioned Richards’ thinking and alluded to Leeds’ record towards the end of the campaign. However, Richards believes the play-off campaign is another opportunity that the Yorkshire side have to grasp with both hands having fallen short of a place in the automatic promotion places.

“I know they have (been in bad shape), but you have got to put that to bed,” said Richards. “The play-offs is a completely different thing, it’s another chance.”