Leeds United’s position is expected to improve quickly, but there will be a major twist involving a vital promotion opponent.
Leeds have dropped out of the Championship’s automatic promotion places following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Coventry City, but Daniel Farke’s side will return to play on Tuesday night when they host Sunderland.
The Black Cats are 13th in the table, and the bookmakers are convinced that Leeds will rebound from their weekend defeat with a win at Elland Road. Every company has the Whites as substantial odds-on favourites, with odds ranging from 4-11 to 2-7. Sunderland will enter at LS11 as 19-2 underdogs, with the draw on offer at 9-2.
With second-placed Ipswich Town not playing until Wednesday night, a Whites win or draw would put Farke’s side back in the automatic promotion places, possibly ahead of Leicester City, who visit Millwall on the same night.
However, the bookmakers believe Enzo Maresca’s team will leave Millwall with another three points, with Ipswich providing a new twist the next night by slipping back into second place. Leicester are not as short as Leeds to beat Sunderland, but they are still favourites at Millwall, with a top price of 7-10. The draw is a 3-1 chance, and Millwall can be backed at 4s.
The following night, Ipswich will play recent improvers Watford, and the Tractor Boys are better odds than Leicester to defeat Millwall. Kieran McKenna’s side is only 4-9, while Watford is 13-2 with a 19-5 draw.
In summary, the oddsmakers expect the top three to remain unchanged after Wednesday night’s games. The bookies still think Leeds will win automatic promotion – the Whites are second favourites after Leicester – but reckon the ultimate permanent twist will have to wait another week.
