Ally McCoist already ponders Leeds relegation amid ‘ridiculous’ development elsewhere
Leeds United are on course for Premier League promotion after beating Sheffield United 3-1 in another remarkable Championship comeback win.
Bramall Lane welcomed Daniel Farke’s team on Monday (25 February), and the visitors took the three points back to West Yorkshire.
Illan Meslier’s own goal gave Chris Wilder’s team the lead in the first half before Junior Firpo, Ao Tanaka and Joel Piroe got on the scoresheet towards the end of the fixture.
The Whites are favourites to win automatic promotion, but their prospects have been scrutinised beyond this season ahead of their potential return to the English top flight.
Leeds United Premier League prospects analysed after Burnley claim
Ally McCoist has wondered whether Burnley are better suited for the Premier League than the Peacocks.
The talkSPORT pundit feels it has been hard for promoted teams to stay in the English top flight, as has been evident in recent years.
| Championship (2024/25) | Clean Sheets | Goals Conceded |
| Leeds | 20 | 21 |
| Burnley | 25 | 9 |
Scott Parker’s team have been defensively solid this season, and McCoist has questioned whether they are better suited for promotion than the West Yorkshire outfit.
Speaking on talkSPORT (25 February, 6:06), the Scotsman said: “Burnley defensively, it’s ridiculous. I think they’ve only lost nine goals in 30-odd games. It’s amazing.
“Right now, it’s as hard as it’s ever been for any team going up to stay up. So I’m just wondering which team would be more suited; [Burnley] with their defensive setup or Leeds.”
Elland Road to expect Premier League investment
The 49ers Enterprises will need to reinforce Leeds once they eventually get back into the Premier League.
Farke has decent players at his disposal for the Championship, but injuries at the start of the season highlighted the lack of depth in the Whites’ squad.
While the likes of Piroe, Dan James and Manor Solomon are shining in the second division, they will evidently face tougher challenges in the top flight.
Elland Road will expect Farke to compete against the big guns in the Premier League, and failure to do so could result in him losing his job.
The Peacocks have needed Piroe to score consistently this season, but they will need a proven striker if they go up.
While Patrick Bamford has vast experience, the Englishman seems to be on his final legs at the West Yorkshire outfit, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him leave soon.
The Whites have been suspect defensively on occasions as Farke has a dearth of options at the back, with Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk the only two reliable options.
Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton played impressive football in the Championship but are now on the brink of relegation from the Premier League, just like the three teams that went up the season before.