Gary Lineker, Martin Keown blame Bielsa factor for Leeds relegation state as another star is ruled out against Brighton

Match of the Day pundits Gary Lineker and Martin Keown both feel the relegation writing is on the wall for Leeds United after Wednesday’s difficult 3-0 home defeat to Chelsea.

The Whites dropped into the relegation zone on Sunday following a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal. That defeat, coupled with Everton’s win at Leicester, saw the Whites fall into the bottom three for the first time all season. And their fears were exasperated on Wednesday night as Thomas Tuchel’s side recorded a comfortable win at Elland Road.

That means Leeds have now suffered three straight defeats – and now face a must-win clash against Brighton on Sunday afternoon.

Assessing their prospects, both Lineker and Keown believe a return to the second tier is likely for Leeds United.

And the pair claim the damaging goal difference Leeds have could well prove their undoing. The side received a number of heavy beatings under former manager Marcelo Bielsa, with the club 20-0 down in games against Liverpool and Manchester City alone.

The 77 goals they have conceded this season gives them a goal difference of -38. That is significantly worse than the two teams they are looking to overhaul in Burnley (-17) and Everton (-19). United have also played one game more than their rivals.

“There’s the points table. I mean, it’s quite an incredible goal difference [for] Leeds compared to the other two but fixtures-wise, Burnley have got tough fixtures,” said Lineker told BBC1’s Match of the Day.

“How do you see it Martin, who’s going to go down?”

Keown said: “I’m thinking Leeds are going to slip through, they’ve lost the last three.

“Burnley have won three of the last four and Everton have won two of the last three so I think that’s a really valuable point for Frank Lampard