Leeds United news: FA Cup progress triggers Championship adjustments that will effect the promotion chase for Daniel Farke.
Leeds United advanced to the FA Cup fourth round after defeating Harrogate Town 1-0 at Elland Road on Saturday, a game that was almost too close for comfort at times. While the outcome is cause for celebration for Daniel Farke, it comes with some unintended repercussions.
Although failing to beat their struggling League Two opponents would have been disastrous for Leeds, having at least one more encounter to contend with could have an impact on the Championship promotion battle. For the time being, Farke and his guys only know that the fourth round will take place on the weekend of February 8.
That is in just under a month, and the focus will swiftly shift back to strengthening the top of the table when league action resumes next Sunday. United visit Sheffield Wednesday to Elland Road for their third home game in a row.
Due to timing, Leeds are aware that they might be back in third place by the time they kick off. In a race to recover, catching up to their competitors is never an option.
Moving forward, things could become even more problematic. As Leeds prepare for the fourth round, they are aware that the Championship game away to Coventry City, originally scheduled for February 8, will have to be rescheduled.
It was impossible to have a complete promotion picture at the moment, but with Sheffield United out of the cup, the possibility of falling farther behind in the league appeared. Leeds would have a game in hand on their Yorkshire rivals, but they would face the added burden of keeping up if Chris Wilder’s side took advantage.
Burnley’s match against Oxford United at home that weekend has also been rescheduled. It promises to disrupt the mentality of a legitimate title and advertising push.
The good news is that Leeds is continuing their cup run. With so much at risk, there is always a dispute over what should come first, and this raises that question once more.
It is unclear when the Coventry match will be rescheduled, or how the promotion picture will appear when it is played.
