
The Leeds United players were disappointed at the end of the game on New Year’s Day where they squandered a golden opportunity to get three more points at home. They appeared to be on the way to winning another game at Elland Road when Pascal Struijk scored in the 88th minute but just a couple of minutes later Blackburn Rovers scored an equaliser to walk away from West Yorkshire with a point in their bag. However, the Yorkshire giants must not feel too disappointed following the end of a productive festive period. Leeds have come out on the other side of the gruelling schedule with an advantage at the top of the Championship table.
Daniel Farke and Leeds players looked despondent at the final whistle on Wednesday as Blackburn managed to get a point at Elland Road and ended their winning run at home.
The Leeds boss admitted after the game that his players looked tired following a gruelling schedule and despite dominating the game, the performance was not at their usual level against Blackburn.
However, the Yorkshire giants should feel good about themselves following the end of the festive period and have a three-point lead at the top of the Championship standings.
Leeds went into the festive period with some trepidations as they had three away games to play and their record on the road until recently was poor, winning just three of their opening ten away games.
However, Leeds beat Stoke City and Derby County in back-to-back away games and are favourites to get all three points when they visit the MKM Stadium to take on Hull City.
Leeds United have the edge in the promotion chase
Leeds have had a great festive period. They not only started fixing their away form but ensured that they picked up a good haul of points amidst a gruelling schedule.
They beat Oxford United at home, scored victories over Stoke and Derby on the road and the only blemish is the 1-1 draw at home against Blackburn Rovers on New Year’s Day.
Leeds will back themselves to beat Hull away from home, which will put them in a brilliant position and set them up nicely for the latter half of the season.
Not only Leeds have done well themselves but their Championship rivals have stumbled during the festive period.
Sheffield United dropped points at home last weekend when they only managed a draw against West Brom. The Blades fumbled again when they lost 2-1 at Sunderland on New Year’s Day.
Burnley also stumbled in the last week when they dropped points at Middlesbrough with a 0-0 draw and had a similar scoreline at home against Stoke on Wednesday.
With their Championship rivals struggling, Leeds have made the most of their advantage and now have a three-point lead at the top of the league table.
The Whites have a chance to pull ahead in the coming weeks
We have already argued that by the beginning of February, Leeds could be the clear favourite for automatic promotion to the Premier League.
The festive period has so far been fruitful for the Yorkshire giants and they will be keen to ensure that they do not slip up at Hull City this weekend.
Leeds would have been happy had they been told last month that they would have a three-point lead at the top of the league table following the gruelling festive schedule.
Farke and his men will now hope to build on this advantage in the coming weeks and ensure that they keep the other Championship rivals at arm’s length.
The Leeds boss’ admission after the game against Blackburn that his players looked tired would worry the fans. However, following the Hull game, Farke would have a chance to rest all his top players for the FA Cup clash against Harrowgate Town.
By the time, Sheffield Wednesday visit Elland Road on 19th January, Farke hopes to have most of his top players fresh and ready for a major promotion push.
