Daniel Farke’s previous comments on ‘outstanding’ Mark Robins shows Leeds promotion isn’t guaranteed

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Daniel Farke knows that three points for Leeds United on Bank Holiday Monday could seal promotion back to the Premier League.

A win for Leeds against Stoke City will all-but-seal promotion and the party could officially begin if Sheffield United fail to beat Burnley in the later kick off.

Leeds have been favourites to go up all season and whilst they’ve been the standout side, have had to overcome some obstacles in their journey.

Their opponents Stoke look like they will be safe for another Championship season but a win at Elland Road will assure it.

They appear to have turned a corner under Mark Robins after a difficult start and Farke is well aware of the qualities the Potters boss has.

• READ MORE: How Leeds United compare to this time last season as Daniel Farke closes in on Premier League return

Daniel Farke has previously admitted he is a fan of Mark Robins

This will be the seventh time Farke and Robins have come up against each other in their respective managerial careers.

The majority of those meetings have come during their times in charge of Norwich City and Coventry City respectively, with Farke winning three of them, Robins one and the other two ending in draws.

When the two met 12 months ago it was Robins who got the win, putting the nail in the coffin on Leeds’ automatic promotion hopes, eventually losing through the play-offs.

Leeds won’t want to repeat that and when his side came up against Robins in his former job last season, Farke told the Coventry Telegraph in 2024 that he had plenty of respect for the “outstanding job.”

“Full of respect for Mark and the job he has done over many seasons,” he said.

“What he has done and how they play in the league and cup, the way he leads his team is outstanding. He should get much more credit. Deserves to be more in the spotlight. One of the outstanding coaches on this level. One of the best sides in this league. We travel with respect and confidence.”

How many points do Leeds need to win the Championship?

Burnley and Leeds are both sat on 91 points, meaning that if both sides secure promotion to the top flight, it will be a straight shootout for the title.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	43	26	13	4	83	29	54	91
2	BurnleyBurnley	43	25	16	2	59	14	45	91
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	43	27	7	9	59	33	26	86
4	SunderlandSunderland	43	21	13	9	58	40	18	76

With only three games to go, Leeds have the advantage with a superior goal difference of plus 54, whereas second-placed Burnley have a goal difference of plus 45.

Should they continue to win then the two sides will go down to the final day, hoping that one of them blinks and they can take advantage.

If either one of them drops points beforehand, however, there could be a chance to sneak in and claim the title with a game to spare.