Former West Brom, Sunderland and Crystal Palace boss reveals who he wants to win the Championship play-offs

Former West Brom manager Sam Allardyce has given his preference as to who he wants to win the Championship play-offs.

The Baggies play their first leg against Southampton on Sunday (May 12) in front of a sold out Hawthorns with more than 2,000 Saints fans descending on to the West Midlands. In the other match which is also being played on Sunday, sixth-placed Norwich City host Leeds United at Carrow Road.

Whoever comes out on top between West Brom and Southampton, and Leeds United versus Norwich City will play at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, May 26. All four clubs have been in the Premier League recently with Leeds and Southampton relegated last season.

The ex-England boss who also managed Newcastle United, West Ham United and Everton, has won promotion via this route before with Bolton Wanderers. Allardyce was asked his thoughts ahead of the play-offs, and when asked the question who he’d like to win the play-offs, which involves two of his former clubs, he answered.

"Obviously I want Leeds because I was there last season and I found it, in only a short time, a great club," he said on the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast.

"Hopefully they get back there and get some stability in terms of trying to stay there this time.

“It’s been a good season for them but if they don’t quite make it, like with everything else, what happens financially? They have to cut financially again then and it becomes more difficult again then.”

Leeds United was Allardyce's last club in management after managing them for four games. He failed to win any of them and picked up a point as the Whites finished second from bottom and five points off safety.

Allardyce was a manager at West Brom longer than he was at Leeds, but suffered the same fate as he was relegated. He took over from Slaven Bilic in mid-December and picked up 20 points from a possible 78, and the Baggies finished 19th.