Leeds United are virtually safe on 43 points ahead of their last three Premier League games and have managed to stump many of their early-season detractors.
Daniel Farke’s side were widely tipped for relegation at the start of the season, largely because of how newly promoted teams have struggled in recent years and the German coach’s past record in the Premier League.
However, Leeds and Farke have exceeded expectations and have not looked like getting relegated since a formation change sparked a change in fortunes last November.
Leeds could already be mathematically safe by the time they take on Tottenham on Monday night, with both Gary Neville and Roy Keane hugely impressed by Daniel Farke’s side.
Leeds earn Premier League accolade from Gary Neville and Roy Keane
Gary Neville and Roy Keane were talking about the most improved Premier League teams on The Overlap, and the discussion moved towards the promoted teams’ performances.
The former Manchester United right-back has admitted that he cannot look beyond Leeds and Sunderland, given how difficult it has been for promoted teams in recent years.
Keane also insisted that Leeds and Sunderland deserve enormous credit for how they have managed to secure Premier League survival this season.
“I think Sunderland could come into it from being in the Championship and being where they are now”, Neville said.
“And then Leeds could probably come into it.
“I wouldn’t be too far away from going Sunderland and Leeds. I think playing in the Championship and staying in the Premier League has become a massive jump.
“Shall we go for both of them together?”
“You’ve got to give credit to the two teams who have stayed up”, Keane added.
“We’ve all seen the stats from promoted teams over the last few years, and we all asked at the start whether two of them could stay up.”
Leeds set to decide relegation fate
Leeds are virtually safe now, and their Premier League status could be mathematically confirmed before they face Tottenham next Monday night.
That leaves them in a position where they could have a huge say in which of the two London clubs ends up being relegated.
West Ham will be desperate for Leeds to keep up their intensity against Spurs, knowing a result in north London could give the Hammers a lifeline in the survival race.
But Leeds could also deal the decisive blow to West Ham’s hopes on the final day of the season, when the two teams meet at the London Stadium.
