Leeds United’s hopes of achieving automatic promotion to the Premier League were dealt a blow at the weekend.
Daniel Farke’s side were forced to settle for a point in a 2-2 draw with Swansea City at Elland Road. Leeds were leading the game going into stoppage time thanks to goals from Brenden Aaronson and Wilfried Gnonto, only for the visitors to equalise in the final minutes.
The result leaves Leeds in second place in the Championship table, as they failed to gain ground on Sheffield United who beat Coventry City on Friday night. Burnley also claimed a win over Bristol City as both of the Whites’ promotion rivals secured victories while they dropped points.
Leeds have just seven Championship matches left to play this season as the promotion race begins to ramp up. Each of those seven games will provide their own test, and Farke will be determined to pick up more points and show improved form compared to the six they have picked up from their last five matches.
Leeds United – 2nd (81 points)
Leeds’ promotion run-in will include four away matches and three home clashes at Elland Road.
The run-in will start with back-to-back away trips to Luton Town and Middlesbrough, followed by a home match against Middlesbrough. Easter weekend will see Leeds travel to Oxford before hosting Stoke City at Elland Road. That will be followed by United’s final home match against Bristol City before travelling to Plymouth Argyle on the final day of the season.
Leeds have a mixed run of opposition in front of them but certainly do have some winnable games. However, despite facing the bottom two clubs in the table, both matches are away from home and will pose a test to Farke’s side.
- Luton Town (A) – Saturday, April 5 – 12.30pm – 23rd
- Middlesbrough (A) – Tuesday, April 8 – 8pm – 7th
- Preston North End (H) – Saturday, April 12 – 12.30pm – 14th
- Oxford United (A) – Friday, April 18 – 8pm – 19th
- Stoke City (H) – Monday, April 21 – 3pm – 18th
- Bristol City (H) – Saturday, April 26 – 3pm – 8th
- Plymouth Argyle (A) – Saturday, May 3 – 12.30pm – 24th
Average Championship position of opposition – 16.1
Sheffield United – 1st (83 points)
Just like Leeds, Sheffield United also have four away matches across their final seven matches. That also includes an away trip to Plymouth, but will also see them travel to Turf Moor to take on fellow promotion hopefuls Burnley.
The Blades will be hoping to secure wins in their three home matches against Millwall, Cardiff City and Stoke City, all of which are in the bottom half of the table as things stand. Finishing the season against play-off hopefuls Blackburn Rovers at home, though, could be a tricky game to end the campaign if a win is needed.
- Oxford United (A) – Saturday, April 5 – 3pm – 19th
- Millwall (H) – Tuesday, April 8 – 7.45pm – 13th
- Plymouth Argyle (A) – Saturday, April 12 – 12.30pm – 24th
- Cardiff City (H) – Friday, April 18 – 5.30pm – 21st
- Burnley (A) – Monday, April 21 – 5.30pm – 3rd
- Stoke City (A) – Saturday, April 26 – 3pm – 18th
- Blackburn Rovers (H) – Saturday, May 3 – 12.30pm – 11th
Average Championship position of opposition – 15.6
Burnley – 3rd (81 points)
As is the case for Leeds and Sheffield United, Burnley will also have four away matches across their run-in. Two will be against teams in the bottom half – Derby and Queens Park Rangers – while there are also trips to play-off hopefuls Coventry and Watford.
There is a home match against top-of-the-table Sheffield United towards the end of April, while the Clarets will also host Norwich and Millwall at Turf Moor before the end of the campaign. On paper, at least, Burnley’s run-in appears to be the toughest of the automatic promotion chasers, with four of their final against teams in the top half and chasing a play-off spot, or better.
- Coventry City (A) – Saturday, April 5 – 12.30pm – 5th
- Derby County (A) – Tuesday, April 8 – 7.45pm – 22nd
- Norwich City (H) – Friday, April 11 – 8pm – 10th
- Watford (A) – Friday, April 18 – 3pm – 9th
- Sheffield United (H) – Monday, April 21 – 5.30pm – 1st
- Queens Park Rangers (A) – Saturday, April 26 – 3pm – 15th
- Millwall (H) – Saturday, May 3 – 12.30pm – 13th
Average Championship position of opposition – 10.7
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