Leeds United warned of ‘glaring problems’ they should be ‘nervous’ about, it could cost them promotion

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Leeds United are just eight points away from a return to the Premier League, with Daniel Farke’s side benefitting from a difficult weekend for Sheffield United.

This weekend in the Championship, the Whites created a five-point gap to the Blades after a win over Preston North End coincided with Chris Wilder’s side losing to Plymouth Argyle.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	42	25	13	4	82	29	53	88
2	BurnleyBurnley	42	24	16	2	57	13	44	88
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	42	26	7	9	57	33	24	83
4	SunderlandSunderland	42	21	13	8	57	38	19	76
5	Bristol CityBristol City	42	16	16	10	54	45	9	64
6	CoventryCoventry	41	18	8	15	58	53	5	62

Leeds have just four games left in the run-in and Burnley face Sheffield United at Turf Moor on matchday 44 as well, leaving promotion firmly in their own hands. Daniel Farke will want to get things wrapped up sooner rather than later to avoid the play-offs.

Mathematically, they require just eight points. However, their vastly superior goal difference means seven will also guarantee promotion. If Sheffield United lose or draw in any of the last four fixtures, the total required will decrease further.

• READ MORE: Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United fans are loving Sheffield United ‘falling apart’ again

Leeds United concern outlined by Championship experts

Leeds have set records recently and lost just one of the last 25 league games, including eight draws and 16 wins in that time. Each of their defeats this season has been by a solitary goal and they have been one of the division’s most impressive teams despite some recent signs of falling apart again.

With Oxford United, Stoke City, Bristol City, and Plymouth Argyle to come, many fans and neutrals alike are starting to look ahead to next season. The job isn’t finished yet, though. Ryan Dilks and Justin Peach have been discussing their promotion hopes and still have some concerns that could stop Leeds from getting over the line.

Dilks said: “Leeds’ last four lunchtime kick-offs at home — they’ve won three of them and drawn one. It’s got nothing to do with lunchtime kick-offs. It’s to do with Leeds’ issues that they have had away from home all season.

“But, on the game itself, this was pure domination from Leeds. It is astonishing that they only won 2-1. They really should’ve made this a lot more comfortable for themselves, shouldn’t they, Justin?”

Peach said: “It should’ve been at least four. I know Joel Piroe hit the woodwork from about six yards out. There was countless other chances that they didn’t put away. I think this is a frustration with Leeds and the thing that will continue to make me a little bit nervous heading into the last few games of the season.

“They always create chances — we know this — and they always give themselves a chance of winning a game. But they never give themselves a chance of winning the game comfortably by taking those opportunities that they create for themselves; this game epitomised it.

“The win is massive but there’s still so many glaring problems I can see. I mean, the goal they conceded was horrendous. They were so, so open. Not what you want to be doing. It’s a big three points but still makes me feel a little bit nervous.”

Dilks added: “This was a microcosm of Leeds on many occasions this season at home, which is creating chance galore but struggling to kill the game off. Nine times out of ten, they do get the job done.

“They did that here and it looked more like the Leeds of earlier this season. We all know about the wobble they’ve been having — they were playing like a shadow of the side we’ve seen all season. This was more like it.

“Surely, they can’t mess this up? Surely, Leeds being at their most Leeds-y can’t mess this up. For Leeds, it’s kind of like everything has parted for them and left them with virtually an open goal. Surely, Leeds have to go up from here?”

• READ MORE: Sky Sports pundits make ‘very worrying’ Sheffield United claim amid Burnley and Leeds United praise

Leeds’ data suggests differently to EFL experts outlook

The fact Leeds have only lost 1-0 this season, and by no other scoreline, indicates that they are always in games and able to compete. While that is true, they are also extremely efficient and that is what will ‘get them over the line’.

They may not have overperformed their xG to the same extent as Burnley, but they are one of the division’s most clinical sides. Also, Leeds have largely been the masters of killing games off. Of their 25 wins in the Championship, only six have come via a solitary goal.

Farke can be criticised for the way he has utilised his squad as a whole, especially the recent treatment of Largie Ramazani, but he has made Leeds flat track bullies in the majority of games this season, with numerous 2-0 and 3-0 wins.

They may have struggled to put the game totally to bed on Saturday but they look firmly back on track for the business end of the season. A repeat of last year’s collapse now appears to be unlikely with promotion tantalisingly close.