Saturday’s loss to Coventry City came as a big blow to Leeds United’s push for automatic promotion at the first attempt. Leicester City sit two points ahead with Enzo Maresca’s side boasting a game in hand.
Ipswich are in second, a point ahead of Leeds but also having played 41 league games. The Tractor Boys suffered defeat to Norwich City on the weekend and like Leeds, have been overtaken by Maresca’s men.
With 15 points to play for – 18, in Leicester’s case – it is all up in the air as to which of the three teams will gain automatic promotion to the Premier League. A quick turnaround for us, with Sunderland on Tuesday.
Leeds will be reliant on our excellent form at Elland Road, and will be favourites given Sunderland’s poor form of late. But, Jack Clarke is back for the Black Cats. We have been touted with a move to re-sign him.
Leeds United’s push for promotion in doubt after Coventry loss
Leicester go to Millwall on Tuesday night, with Leeds and Leicester playing before Ipswich face Watford at Portman Road on Wednesday night. A huge week for Leeds, in the race to finish in the top two places.
Brenden Aaronson has been speaking over the weekend, and the USA star discussed his future – saying a possible permanent exit is on the cards. The playmaker also predicted whether Leeds will be promoted.
“I’ve been paying close attention to Leeds, I know a lot of the guys, I get on with a lot of them, they are good guys. I’ve been paying attention because they’ve been having a fantastic season. Great 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 continues to improve at Union Berlin.
What Leeds have to do to secure first or second place…
Five enormous games. Even if Leeds finish in the play-offs, you might think that failure to get into the top two might affect morale – and momentum is key in the play-offs. We must give it absolutely everything.
Unfortunately, it is a tough run of games. The next two though, against Sunderland and Blackburn, are at home and that gives us a real chance of winning six points. Then, a trip to Middlesbrough on the 22nd.
Luke Ayling, Sam Greenwood and Jonny Howson’s side are in fine form of late. Unbeaten in seven, Boro have won five, five clean sheets. Ayling and Greenwood will be unavailable for the clash against Leeds.
Then, a trip to QPR and the final-day clash against Southampton. Realistically, Leeds need to win four out of the next five games to stand any chance of automatic promotion. Things are really hotting up.