Credit: Imago/talkSPORT

Carla Devine

Wed 12 March 2025 13:21, UK

Leeds United have their sights set on promotion to the Premier League after a strong Championship campaign under Daniel Farke.

The Whites have been in terrific form throughout the season, although they have slipped from the top of the table, not helped by a 1-0 defeat against Portsmouth on Sunday (9 March).

After Sheffield United drew on Tuesday, Leeds are now second in the Championship, but a point against Millwall on Wednesday (12 March) would take Farke’s side back to the top of the table.

Troy Deeney fires Premier League warning to Leeds United

While Leeds would love to be champions, as long as they gain automatic promotion to the Premier League this season, their aims will have been met.

That is only half the challenge for Farke’s men though and retaining a spot in the top flight is the next step to securing long-term success at Elland Road.

However, with the three promoted teams from last season currently occupying the relegation zone in the league above, it does raise questions over how sustainable survival is for an upcoming team.

Last time around, Leeds enjoyed three seasons of Premier League football before coming back to the Championship but this time the West Yorkshire outfit will want to establish themselves in the top flight.

However, Troy Deeney has warned Leeds that this may not be the case.

Speaking live on talkSPORT (12 March, 11:15am), Alex Crook argued that Leeds will be a more competitive side if they come up in comparison with those that came up this season.

However, Deeney argued this wasn’t the case as he replied: “I completely disagree. I think they’re going to come up and do exactly the same.

“The teams that are coming up are still doing the same thing. They’re trying to out-football the best footballing teams.”

Leeds United need to focus on Championship promotion

If Leeds do gain promotion back to the Premier League, their focus has to be on survival over a nice style of football as we have seen Southampton fall victim to this term.

However, conversations need to be measured for now because in recent weeks, the likelihood of the Whites gaining promotion with ease has decreased and there is still plenty of work to be done before anything is confirmed.

Leeds face a massive challenge against Millwall on Wednesday, in what will no doubt be a feisty affair between the two sides with a rivalry.

However, if Farke’s men do not pick up the minimum of a point they need to return to the top of the table, then it will put the title in Sheffield United’s hands.

Furthermore, with Burnley just a point behind Leeds in third place, there is no space to breathe as far as automatic promotion is concerned.

There will be plenty of pressure put on to the shoulders of the Leeds team in the coming weeks and they have to show their ability to cope with it.