As Leeds United cleared a six-point gap to the bottom three on Monday, we also moved three points ahead of Europa League semi-finalists Nottingham Forest too.
The four-way relegation battle looks like it’s going right down to the wire. But, as a Leeds fan watching it with bags of nerves, wouldn’t it be nice if we just made our own life easier.
Winning away to Manchester United was just the tonic. We’re now six clear of the drop with pundits believing that was the moment we all but secured our Premier League safety.
Nottingham Forest progress to Europa League semi-final amid Premier League congestion concern
Next week sees Leeds face a rearranged trip to Bournemouth due to our progress in the FA Cup. Then, Chelsea at Wembley awaits on Sunday 26th April.
We’re not the only team in the Premier League relegation scrap with an extra-curricular ‘distraction’. Last night, Nottingham Forest welcomed FC Porto to the City Ground for a mammoth Europa League quarter-final second leg. Vitor Pereira’s men were set on their way early thanks to a Jan Bednarek red card and Morgan Gibbs-White scoring the decisive goal.
Forest saw out the Portuguese giants to secure their progress to the semi-final. Now, a mouthwatering tie against Aston Villa looms.
The issue this presents is in the Premier League. Forest now have a two-leg semi-final awaiting them. And consequently, a hectic schedule at the back end of April and into May. Between the April 24th when they travel to Sunderland, and May 10th when they host Newcastle United, Forest have five games in the space of 16 days.
Nottingham Forest sweating on massive triple injury blow as Leeds United watch on
It’s not only that Forest have a potentially memorable Europa League campaign to distract them from the survival scrap. But, fresh injury issues could unsettle their squad further.
Bednarek’s red card challenge was on recent returnee striker Chris Wood.
The Kiwi ex-Leeds striker has been a long-term absentee with knee surgery, and was forced off after this challenge. Although there is concern over Wood’s fitness now, it’s claimed online that his injury on Thursday night was to the opposite knee that previously kept him sidelined.
Elsewhere in the 72nd minute, star centre-back Murillo and substitute winger Callum Hudson-Odoi both went to ground. They were forced off with suspected injuries too. The latter was spotted after full-time needing crutches outside the Forest dressing room – per the Nottingham Post.
“Only Callum was a muscular injury. We don’t know,” Forest boss Pereira said to TNT Sports. “The other two I think they will recover.”
It leaves one of Leeds’ relegation rivals buoyed by a massive European night, but sweating over potentially devastating injury news.
Leeds United must hammer home Premier League survival advantage with win vs Wolves
If we can be sitting pretty on 39 points before any of our relegation rivals play later in the weekend, that would be a huge boost.
Of course, we have to get past a fearless Wolves side with no pressure on them. That won’t be a walk in the park, and I don’t think Daniel Farke will be underestimated Rob Edwards’ men.
Should we get a huge win at home to Wolves, it leaves us putting huge pressure on Forest, West Ham and Spurs to get their wins.
0% Love 0% Funny 0% Wow 0% Sad 0% Angry
Post navigation