The nine fixtures that will determine Leeds United's fate
The Whites surrendered second spot after defeat yesterday
The Whites surrendered second spot after defeat yesterday
Leeds United lost vital ground in the race for promotion on Good Friday after their shock 2-1 defeat to Wigan Athletic.
Despite being a goal and a man down, the relegation-threatened Latics battled back go victory thanks to a Gavin Massey’s brace, causing another dramatic twist in the Championship promotion race.
Sheffield United took full advantage earlier in the day, with a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest, moving them ahead of the Whites on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Norwich City left it late to snatch a point against Sheffield Wednesday. A superb strike from Fernando Forestieri and a controversial Steven Fletcher goal had put the Owls 2-1 ahead at Carrow Road, only for Mario Vrancic to fire in a 97th-minute free-kick to level the score.
Leeds are back down in third
That means the Canaries need just five points from their remaining three fixtures to be sure of a place in the Premier League next season.
Here is a breakdown of each teams’ fixtures, with three games to go…
Norwich City P43 87pts GD +34
Stoke City (A)
Blackburn Rovers (H)
Aston Villa (A)
Daniel Farke celebrates towards the Norwich crowd at The New York Stadium on March 16, 2019
Daniel Farke's side have drawn their last three matches (Image: Ashley Allen/Getty Images)
Back-to-back draws have meant Daniel Farke’s side are yet to secure promotion to the Premier League.
The Canaries have taken the most points in the league from losing positions and yesterday’s 97th-minute equaliser was the eighth time they have scored in injury time. Not a bad habit to have at the tail end of the season.
With Leeds and Sheffield United also dropping points over the last few weeks, it means Norwich still look set to return to the top flight. Of their remaining games, Aston Villa is by far the toughest but they will hope to have it all wrapped up by the last day of the campaign.
Stoke and Blackburn look like very winnable games but as we know, it’s never quite that simple in the Championship.
Sheffield United P43 82pts GD +32
Hull City (A)
Ipswich Town (H)
Stoke City (A)
Chris Wilder after Sheffield United's win over Nottingham Forest.
Chris Wilder's men took the initiative on Good Friday (Image: (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images))
Chris Wilder warned of more twists and turns before yesterday’s win and how right he was. United are back in the driving seat once again, although only goal difference separates the Blades and Leeds.
Hull City will provide a stern test for United on Easter Monday. Wilder’s side are once again in action before the Whites, who kick-off at the later time of 5:30pm.
Whoever makes it out on top after Monday will feel confident of winning their final two games. If you’d offered United already-relegated Ipswich at home and mid-table Stoke away to secure promotion at the start of the season, they’d have bitten your hand off.
The added interest in those fixtures are goal difference. Even if the Blades win their remaining three fixtures, they’ll have to ensure they concede see a six-goal advantage on their Yorkshire rivals.
Leeds United P43 82pts GD +26
Brentford (A)
Aston Villa (H)
Ipswich Town (A)
Leeds are back down in third
It’s never easy with Leeds, is it?
After taking the lead against ten-man Wigan, all looked rosy at Elland Road.
Now they’re chasing their tails once again, with time running out. Nine points from three games is a minimum, with an influx of goals desperately needed. Every missed chance could come back to haunt Marcelo Bielsa’s side between now and the campaign’s end.
Like Sheffield United, Leeds have a tough assignment on Monday. Brentford, although shocking away, have the fourth-best home form this season and will be no pushover at Griffin Park.