Leeds United sit at the summit of the Championship table and are pushing to secure automatic promotion to the Premier League in the remaining eleven games of the season. The Whites are being backed to go up as Championship winners but there are a few tricky games they have to navigate in the last couple of months of the campaign. A trip to Portsmouth on Sunday will be one of those games that could be trickier than what it seems on paper at this stage of the season. John Mousinho’s side were moments away from winning at Elland Road on the opening day of the campaign and they will hope to provide another stiff test to Leeds this weekend.
The Whites are massive favourites to earn automatic promotion but their lead at the top is still narrow. They have a three-point lead over Sheffield United and a five-point buffer over Burnley who are sitting just outside the automatic promotion spots.
The 1-1 draw at home against West Brom somewhat sucked out some of the momentum from Leeds and they are desperate to bounce back with three points at Fratton Park on Sunday.
However, Leeds have been warned that it would be a tricky game for Leeds given their problems with early kick offs and the fact that they will be away from home.
Portsmouth are also one of those teams who came close to beating Leeds earlier in the season and while the Whites are much more defensively solid than the opening day, the home side will have those pleasant memories.
However, Mousinho is under no illusion about the difficult task his players will be up against when they take on Leeds at Fratton Park on Sunday.
The Pompey boss is aware how good Leeds United are
Portsmouth provided a real scare to Leeds at Elland Road on the opening day of the season when the two sides played out a 3-3 draw on that August afternoon.
Leeds are a much more solid side from then and Mousinho is acutely aware of the challenge his team will be up against when the two sides clash at Fratton Park on Sunday.
He insisted it is crystal clear that Leeds are by far the best team in the Championship this season and it’s a testament to the mental fortitude that they managed to bounce back from last season’s playoff final heartbreak.
The Portsmouth boss remembers the opening day of the season but conceded Leeds have only grown stronger since that game.
“They’re the best team in the league. I think everybody’s in agreement there”, Mousinho said in a press conference.
“They’ve had a fantastic season, I think, particularly bouncing back from the disappointment of the play-off final defeat last season and losing a couple of their key players.
“It’s been a very, very impressive season. They’ve gone from strength to strength… A really good side, full of good players, very good system and well-coached, and that obviously makes for a potent combination at the top of the league.”
Leeds can’t get complacent about the trip to Portsmouth
The 1-1 draw at Elland Road against West Brom has dimmed some of the enthusiasm around Leeds and the team are now in need of bouncing back soon.
Leeds are still at the top but their lead has narrowed and if they drop more points this weekend, it could get even tighter at the business end of the season.
Can you name the missing sponsor on these 10 Leeds United shirts?
The Whites fans still have memories of last season’s heartbreak and they do not want to see them miss out on automatic promotion this time around.
However, a trip to Portsmouth will be tricky and Farke will look to keep his team focused on putting in a good performance at Fratton Park on Sunday.
Leeds were not at their best last weekend and the manager will hope that his team put on a better performance, which should lead to a good result.
