Leeds United are now in one of the Championship’s tightest title and automatic promotion competitions in recent history, along with Leicester City and Ipswich Town.
The race at the top of the table couldn’t be closer at this point in the season, and the next few weeks might be critical as Daniel Farke’s side hopes the Foxes or Tractor Boys blink first.
With one game remaining before the March international break, the Whites will be expecting to enter those games in the automatic promotion places, and a victory over Millwall on Sunday (17 March) will ensure that.
The EFL’s revelation on its website (11 March) that Stephen Martin will referee the match on Sunday afternoon may have increased Leeds’ chances of winning all three points against Neil Harris’ side.
Will Leeds United stay in the automatic promotion places and return to the Premier League?
While some may question whether the appointment of a referee will give Leeds United an advantage in Sunday night’s game, the Whites’ record when Martin is in charge of fixtures has been spectacular.
According to Transfermarkt, Leeds have won seven of their eight games under Farke and have never tasted loss, drew their only other game, giving Farke’s side plenty of confidence ahead of their encounter against Millwall.
Martin has officiated Harris’ team on 18 occasions, winning 50% of those matches, drawing three times, and losing six.
When these two teams played earlier in the season, the Whites were had to fight for three points, but they shone at The Den to enhance their chances of promotion in the early stages of the season.
Millwall have won three of their previous four games and have not lost since Harris came to East London, but if Leeds are to beat Ipswich and Leicester to the top two this season, these are the types of games they must win.
Hopefully, Farke’s team will get all three points at Elland Road on Sunday, and Martin’s good luck charm will give them an advantage before kickoff.
