David Prutton has backed Leeds United to get off to a winning start in the Championship this season.
The Whites are one of the favourites to challenge for promotion this term, after just missing out in the play-offs last season and will begin their new campaign against Bristol City on Sunday afternoon.
Former Leeds midfielder Prutton is expecting a close game at Ashton Gate, but has predicted a 2-1 win for the Whites.
"It was a strange season for Bristol City. They improved upon their league position but, at the same time, they were well in the play-off race during the run-in so to miss out altogether would have been disappointing," Prutton told Sky Sports.
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"Not as disappointing as what happened to Leeds, however. It will be interesting to see if there is any hangover from that at the start of the season, but I'll back them to win at Ashton Gate."
Leeds spent most of last season inside the automatic promotion places but were beaten to a top-two finish by Sheffield United, after losing five of their final nine league matches.
The Whites suffered more agony in the play-offs, losing to Derby County in the semi-finals, after the Rams produced a stunning comeback to win the second leg at Elland Road.
Leeds will be hoping to challenge for automatic promotion again this term, after head coach Marcelo Bielsa decided to remain in charge for a second season.
Bristol City finished eighth in the Championship last season, four points outside the play-off places and missed out on a top-six finish on the final day of the campaign.
The Verdict
I agree with Prutton here, I think Leeds will win on Sunday. The Whites were magnificent in the Championship under Bielsa last season and I'm expecting them to challenge for automatic promotion again this term.
The players will know exactly what to expect from Bielsa this time around and I'm expecting them to be right up there come the end of the season.
As for Bristol City, I think the Robins have recruited really well this summer and I'm expecting them to challenge for the play-offs again this season.