‘To be honest’… Ray Parlor on who he thinks will win the play-offs

Four defeats in their last six League games saw Leeds slip to third and allowed Ipswich to finish second. So for Leeds and Farke, they will be forced to fight in the play-offs for an instant return.

Norwich’s final-day defeat to relegated Birmingham City saw the Canaries move up to sixth after West Brom beat Preston. It sees Leeds take on Norwich, while Southampton take on Carlos Corberan’s men.

Norwich man Jack Stacey has already commented on how tough it will be for the Canaries, while manager David Wagner has tried to play mind games by saying there will be “trouble” at Leeds if they don’t go up.

Now Ray Parlor has given his verdict on who will win the play-offs and earn promotion to the Premier League on TalkSPORT this morning (8.30am Friday):

Ray Parlor predicts who will win the play-offs, Leeds or Southampton

Josh Windass this week claimed it was likely to be between Leeds and Southampton before backing Farke’s men, claiming West Brom and Norwich are just happy to be in the mix for promotion.

The points gap is big and Ian Holloway alluded to that in his verdict. Leeds are 17 points ahead of Norwich, while there is a 12-point gap between Southampton and West Brom in fourth and fifth.

Parlor predicted it would be between The Saints and Leeds, before suggesting Southampton: “I think it will be between Southampton and Leeds to be honest. The result Southampton had will give them confidence.”

What Jesse Marsch and Sam Allardyce had to say this week

Championship play-offs are certainly a source of commentary for pundits and players as well as managers. Indeed, two bosses who managed The Whites last season have given their verdicts.

Jesse Marsch said whoever wins the play-offs will do incredibly well given how tight it is: “Some good clubs there. That will be tight. Whoever comes out will win, no doubt.”

Sam Allardyce has managed Leeds in the last four games of the Premier League campaign, months after Marsch was sacked, and is desperate to see Leeds win promotion at the first attempt.

He said: “Obviously I want Leeds because I was there last season and found it, in just a short time, a great club. I hope he gets back there and gets some stability in terms of trying to stay there this time.”