Leeds United have just three games left to decide how their first season back in the Championship will end, with automatic promotion or play-off drama the two options. Daniel Farke’s side have done brilliantly to put themselves in the race for a top-two finish but recent slip-ups have significantly increased the tension in West Yorkshire.
That Ipswich Town and Leicester City have also dropped points has brought some reprieve to Leeds, albeit in the knowledge that opportunities to pull clear at the top have been missed. With just three games remaining, any errors could now prove fatal.
Farke insists focus at Leeds has always been inward but supporters are now intently following the fixtures, results and injury issues of their main rivals. With that in mind, the YEP has ranked each of the top 10’s final few games and calculated the current average position of every team’s opponents - take a look below.
1. 4th. Southampton: Preston (H), Cardiff City (A), Leicester City (A), Stoke City (H), Leeds United (A)
Face two of their direct promotion rivals, but only Stoke City have something to play for besides that, with Preston and Cardiff mid-table. Average position of opposition: 9.2.
2. 3rd. Leeds United: Middlesbrough (A), QPR (A), Southampton (H)
Middlesbrough have taken points from Southampton and Ipswich in recent weeks as part of a nine-game unbeaten run. QPR and Southampton have plenty to play for at either end of the table. Average position of opposition: 10.7.
3. 2nd. Leicester City: West Brom (H), Southampton (H), Preston (A), Blackburn Rovers (H)
Consecutive home games against top-six opposition will prove crucial. Preston and Blackburn will have little to play for when they meet the Foxes. Average position of opposition: 9.
4. 1st. Ipswich Town: Hull City (A), Coventry City (A), Huddersfield Town (H)
Could be four points behind Leeds by the time they face consecutive trips to play-off hopefuls. Huddersfield could be fighting to survive on final day. Average position of opposition: 12.3