Leeds United have 15 Championship games remaining before winning promotion to the Premier League, including seven before the March international break.
Leeds’ FA Cup defeat to Millwall on Saturday means they will now focus completely on Championship football. Daniel Farke is only 34 points away from reaching the magical 90-point threshold with 45 points to go.
Farke has achieved two promotions with Norwich City, scoring 94 and 97 points. Leeds has an average of 2.12 points per game so far, and if they continue in this fashion, they will have 97 to 98 points.
Predicting Leeds’ next seven games before the March break.
Watford (A), 11th February.
Watford averted a run of three consecutive defeats with a 2-2 draw away to Sunderland on Saturday, but they have only won once in their last ten games. Leeds beat Watford 2-1 in October.
Despite being away from home on Tuesday night, Leeds should have enough to destroy a Watford side that is out of form and losing hope of making the playoffs. Prediction: Watford 0–2 Leeds.
Sunderland (H), 17th February.
Sunderland’s young squad appears to be feeling the pressure. Regis Le Bris’ side is not convincing in the race for automatic promotion, unlike Leeds, Burnley, or Sheffield United, with each game a tussle.
Sunderland has won two of its previous six games, but has conceded two goals in each of their last three. The two sides drew 2-2 at the Stadium of Light, and Leeds should score to win. Prediction: Leeds 3–1 Sunderland.
Sheffield United (A), 24th February.
This is the biggest one. A tough encounter against a team with the division’s second-best home record, trailing only Leeds. Under Wilder, he scored 35 points in 15 games and won 11 of them at Bramall Lane.
If Leeds lose any of their remaining 15 games, this appears to be the most likely scenario. Leeds defeated the Blades 2-0 at Elland Road, but this is a different Blades team following numerous acquisitions. Prediction: Sheff United 2-1 Leeds.
West Brom (H), 1st March
Back at home, Leeds should be confident of beating Tony Mowbray’s Baggies. Since his appointment as West Brom manager, the Baggies have lost both away games to Plymouth and former club Middlesbrough.
But they’ve won at home, including a 5-1 victory over Portsmouth before defeating Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. In Yorkshire, Leeds might win with a high score. Prediction: Leeds 4–2 WBA.
Portsmouth (A), 9th March
Pompey are still fighting to avoid relegation, lying only two points above the bottom three with Derby in 22nd place. A Derby County team that could be about to hire Blackburn Rovers manager John Eustace.
Leeds drew 3-3 with Portsmouth on the opening day, but they are a different team now. Leeds should win away to Pompey, who have lost three of their previous four. Prediction: Pompey 0-3 Leeds.
Millwall (H), March 12th
Millwall are becoming a bit of a bogey team. Leeds defeated the Lions at home and away last season, but they have lost both games against Millwall this season. A 1-0 league loss and a 2-0 FA Cup defeat.
It would be a tall ask for Leeds to go and win seven games on the bounce between now and the March break and given Leeds have lost twice to Millwall, this could be a draw. Prediction: Leeds 1-1 Millwall.
QPR (A), 15th March
This is perhaps the most difficult to anticipate because it comes three days after a tough game against Millwall, Leeds’ struggles away from home, and QPR’s improvement as the season progresses.
QPR have long been a source of frustration for Leeds United. Despite losing 4-0 in the identical fixture last season, Leeds should have enough quality to prevail at Loftus Road. Prediction: QPR 1-2 Leeds.
