Leeds sent ‘ridiculous’ warning as new promotion prediction made at Elland Road
Leeds United are in a precarious position in the promotion race although they sit atop the Championship table.
Daniel Farke’s side allowed Sheffield United to go level on points with them after winning only two of their last five games, with Burnley also within touching distance now.
Therefore, Leeds cannot afford further slip-ups if they want to put last season’s disappointment behind them and earn automatic promotion to the Premier League.
That is why it is imperative that the Whites start the final stretch of the season with a win against Swansea at Elland Road on Saturday, 29 March.
Leeds risk playing catch-up in Championship
Leeds are under the most amount of pressure compared to Sheffield United and Burnley ahead of the final eight games of the season, according to Joe Jacobson.
The former EFL ace pointed out that the Whites could find themselves chasing those two teams if they lose against Swansea this weekend.
| Team | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goal Difference | Points |
| 1. Leeds | 38 | 23 | 11 | 4 | 51 | 80 |
| 2. Sheffield United | 38 | 25 | 7 | 6 | 25 | 80 |
| 2. Burnley | 38 | 21 | 15 | 2 | 41 | 78 |
He is also of the view that missing out on automatic promotion will be a “huge” loss for the West Yorkshire outfit, although he dismissed Jobi McAnuff’s concerns about Elland Road.
“If Leeds don’t go up automatically, the feeling around that place going into the playoffs is going to feel like they’ve just lost something big and huge”, Jacobson said on BBC’s 72+ podcast (26 March).
“All the pressure is on Leeds. I think the other two are kind of there, knowing that throughout the whole season, it’s kind of been one of those two to go up with Leeds.
“By the end of next week, Leeds could be out of the top two, and all of a sudden, then with seven games to go, they are playing catch-up, which sounds ridiculous.
“I do still think Leeds will go up. You [Jobi McAnuff] talked about Elland Road, but I also think that Elland Road can win them games as well.
“The fans there, and if they get on top, then they are a force to be reckoned with.
“So, I’m going with Leeds and Burnley, they are my two to go up, and yes, I’ve said it, and you can come back at me after the season is finished if you want to.”
Farke to lead Elland Road outfit to Premier League
Farke will struggle not to think about last season’s disappointment as he approaches the final stretch of this campaign.
Leeds were forced to compete in the playoffs after missing out on automatic promotion by six points to a lot of fans and pundits’ shock.
They went on to suffer a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Southampton at Wembley in the playoff final, courtesy of a first-half goal from Adam Armstrong.
Farke will be determined to ensure that history does not repeat itself and Leeds earn automatic promotion to the Premier League.
The German tactician has earned a reputation as a promotion expert, having done it twice with Norwich, but will probably face the sack at Elland Road if he fails this time.