Leeds United sit at the summit of the Championship table and are looking like probably winners of the league with a ticket to the Premier League next season. Promotion talk at Leeds was done in hushed tones until they beat Sunderland at home last week, which prompted Daniel Farke to insist that 20 more points would do the trick for his team. Another win at Sheffield United on the road this week has further ramped up the conversations around the Whites going up to the top flight this season. Leeds still do not want to tempt fate but there is an increasing acceptance that they are the best team in the Championship this season by some distance.
Farke has been trying to ensure that his players remain grounded and focused and not look too far ahead as his side close in on earning automatic promotion to the Premier League.
However, the sense of anticipation has been building for a while and since the Sheffield United win, there is now more of an expectation than hope that Leeds would be a Premier League team next season.
Leeds still have 12 games remaining on their schedule and some of them do look tough on paper but their form has led to suggestions that they are going to win the league on a canter.
They have changed gears in the last few weeks and recent performances suggest that Leeds are set to return to the top flight of English football in a dominating fashion.
Can’t see a way where Leeds United do not win the league handsomely – EFL Expert
Leeds have a five-point lead over Sheffield United and a seven-point buffer over teams outside the automatic promotion spots at this stage of the season.
On paper, it’s a three-horse race for the automatic promotion spots between Leeds, Sheffield United and Burnley. However, George Elek has claimed the Whites are head and shoulders above their rivals.
He insisted that Leeds will win the league by ten points as the gap in quality between the Yorkshire giants and the other teams is just too big this season.
Elek doesn’t see a situation where Leeds drop enough points from now until the end of the season to not win the Championship by a healthy margin given their superiority.
“When I came on the show earlier in the season, I said you’d win by ten and I think you’ll win by ten”, George Elek said on The Square Ball podcast.
“I think there is just a massive gap between the quality of Leeds and the teams beneath them.
“If the performance levels don’t dip, I can’t see a way where you don’t finish top and be really comfortable.”
Leeds fans have a reason to feel it’s too good to be true
Last season’s playoff final heartbreak is still fresh in the memories of Leeds fans who were certain about reaching the Premier League last year as well.
Yes, Leeds are dominating and have beaten two of their closest rivals within a week, but the Whites fans won’t start celebrations just yet and tempt fate.
Can you name the season these 10 Leeds United shirts are from?
Leeds do not do things easily, they are not one of those clubs who get stuff done comfortably, so their current form is oddly disconcerting for the fans.
Elek’s prediction should make them even more uncomfortable as they continue to count down the games to the end of the Championship season.
They are starting to believe that Leeds will be in the Premier League soon, but it would be hard to find a Whites fan who would be ready to say that in public with certainty.
