Saturday’s defeat to Coventry City dealt a significant blow to Leeds United’s bid for automatic promotion at the first attempt. Leicester City are two points ahead, with Enzo Maresca’s side having a game in hand.
Ipswich are second, one point ahead of Leeds, but have also played 41 league games. The Tractor Boys lost against Norwich City over the weekend and, like Leeds, have been surpassed by Maresca’s team.
With 15 points to play for – 18 in Leicester’s case – it is unclear which of the three teams will receive automatic promotion to the Premier League. We’ll have a quick turnaround with Sunderland on Tuesday.
Leeds will rely on their great record at Elland Road and will be favourites considering Sunderland’s recent poor form. However, Jack Clarke is back with the Black Cats. We’ve been linked with a move to re-sign him.
Leeds United’s promotion hopes are in jeopardy after losing to Coventry. Leicester will play Millwall on Tuesday, followed by Ipswich’s match against Watford at Portman Road on Wednesday night. A crucial week for Leeds in the fight to finish in the top two places.
Brenden Aaronson spoke over the weekend, and the USA star revealed his future, claiming that a permanent exit is on the cards. The playmaker also predicted that Leeds would be promoted.
“I’ve been paying close attention to Leeds; I know a lot of the players, I get along with a lot of them, and they’re all good men. I’ve been paying attention because they’re having a great season. Wonderful to watch.
“They just need to keep pushing because they’ve got good things coming their way at the end of the season,” Aaronson told Get German Football News as the American’s performance at Union Berlin improved.
What should Leeds do to secure first or second place?
Five huge games. Even if Leeds makes the play-offs, you may imagine that finishing outside of the top two will have an impact on morale – and momentum is important in the play-offs. We must give it all.
Unfortunately, this is a difficult run of games. The following two, against Sunderland and Blackburn, are at home, giving us a realistic possibility of winning six points. Then there’s a trip to Middlesbrough on the 22nd.
Luke Ayling, Sam Greenwood, and Jonny Howson’s side have been in excellent form recently. Boro are unbeaten in seven games, having won five and kept five clean sheets. Ayling and Greenwood will be unavailable for the game against Leeds.
Then it’s off to QPR for the final game versus Southampton. Realistically, Leeds must win four of their next five games to have any hope of automatic promotion. Things are certainly heating up.
