Leeds United to miss out on top-two finish if Don Goodman experiment comes true
Leeds United could be set for another playoff finish in the Championship under Daniel Farke.
The Whites have led the second tier for large periods of the season but have hit a rough patch in form in recent weeks.
A draw against QPR was the second in four games with a defeat against Portsmouth ending an unbeaten league run stretching back to November.
With that being said, Don Goodman has revealed why this trip up in results could end in a third-place finish for Farke and Co.
Leeds could miss out on automatic promotion
There is no doubt that the Elland Road club are facing tough competition from below to earn a spot in the Premier League for next season.
Burnley and Sheffield United have plenty of quality which could easily see them overtake the Whites if given the opportunity.
Recent results may have given Scott Parker and Chris Wilder hope of that possibility and there may be a good chance of that happening.
| Position | Team | Goal difference | Points |
| 1. | Leeds United | +51 | 80 |
| 2. | Burnley | +41 | 78 |
| 3. | Sheffield United | +24 | 77 |
Speaking on the Championship Catch-up podcast (20 March), Goodman has revealed an experiment he has conducted which could prove to be damming for Leeds.
He said: “The fact that Sheffield United and Burnley, over the last four games have taken double the amount of points as Leeds, it’s just going to keep Leeds on their toes.
“I did a bit of an experiment, I looked over the last eight games with there being eight games remaining. If these three teams take the same amount of points in the last eight games that they’ve taken in the previous eight games, where will they finish?
“That would have Leeds on 97 points finishing third behind Burnley on 98 and Sheffield United on 99. That in itself should be enough to keep Leeds on their toes.”
Farke must make sure Goodman prediction doesn’t come true
There has been so much good about Leeds this season that it would be a huge blow if automatic promotion wasn’t achieved.
The performances of the defence have struggled in the absence of Ethan Ampadu but still have enough to be arguably the best in the division.
Similar things can be said of the forward line with Joel Piroe shining with Manor Solomon capturing the headlines on the wing.
With that being said, there is no true reason as to why the Whites shouldn’t earn a place in the Premier League by the end of the season.
It would certainly represent a poor season for Farke if his side were to miss out on their only goal for the season, for the second time.
This would leave his job on the line which is yet another factor that the German will be hopeful of avoiding.