By David Woods

7th Mar, 2020 | 9:00am

'It kind of is that close' – Phil Hay predicts how many wins Leeds need to get promoted

There are some Leeds United fans who don’t want to think any further ahead that the game against Huddersfield.

That’s understandable, given the collapse that Leeds suffered at the tail-end of last season.

Athletic journalist Phil Hay is made of sterner stuff and gave a very direct answer when asked how many games Leeds would need to win to go up.

Talking on the latest episode of the Phil Hay Show podcast, Hay said, “I think six wins would be enough given what the teams behind them would have to do.

“It kind of is that close now.”

There are 10 games left in the season and Leeds are currently five points ahead of Fulham in third, eight points ahead of Forest and 11 points in front of Brentford.

Another six wins for Leeds would leave them on 86 points – quite a way behind the two points a game target the club set itself at the start of the season.

However, luckily for Leeds, the chasing pack hasn’t been as strong as last season, when Sheffield United put up a brilliant run-in to thwart the Whites.

Leeds’ goal difference is vastly superior to that of Fulham and Forest, but worse than Brentford’s.

So, given 86 points, what would other teams have to do?

Fulham would need 24 points from the remaining 30 – so they’d need to win eight of their remaining 10 games.

Realistically, Fulham are the only side that could catch Leeds. After Forest lost last night they’d need to win all nine of their remaining games. Brentford would need to win all 10.

So, six wins then. Five if Leeds beat Huddersfield today.

If Leeds win the next three, including the game against Fulham, the situation would look even better, and other results could mean they’re on the brink of promotion.

It’s exciting, but nailbiting, times.

In other Leeds United news, Matt Le Tissier & Jeff Stelling predict score in Leeds v Huddersfield clash