Daniel Farke, Leeds United fans
(Credit: Imago)
MOT Leeds News speaking to Ian Darke
Thu 20 March 2025 17:15, UK
Leeds United are likely to have to beat their last points total of 90 if they are going to finish in the Championship’s automatic promotion spots.
Daniel Farke’s side missed out on the Premier League in heartbreaking circumstances after a sluggish final six games dropped them into the play-offs, the final of which saw them beaten by Southampton.
The Whites currently sit on 80 points, alongside Sheffield United, but top of the pile on goal difference, with third-placed Burnley just two points adrift of the cut-off.
Leeds have had a minor blip but remain top (Credit: Imago)
Farke comments slammed after Leeds ‘outplayed’ in recent game
Farke‘s men have dropped five points in their last three games in a recent record which would usually be acceptable occasionally by Championship standards.
However, this year, the bar has been raised, and teams must be more consistent to have any chance of the top two.
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Salvaging a draw from two goals down at QPR last Saturday (15 March) spared Leeds’ blushes after the win over Millwall three days earlier.
However, following the loss to Portsmouth on 9 March, which ended a streak of 17 without defeat, Farke’s post-match comments saw him brand his side unlucky, with TV commentator Ian Darke instead insisting they were the worse team.
“There’s obviously more danger behind their promotion bid now because it looks like they’re going to need more than 90 points,” Darke exclusively told MOT Leeds News.
“Normally, you’d look at a 46-game season, 90 would get you up automatically which of course wasn’t enough for Leeds last season. They’ll be nervous now.
“I saw them at Portsmouth, and I was expecting more from them when they went behind, like they did at Sheffield United. They never took any control, but Farke seemed to think they were unlucky when they were actually outplayed. They dropped more points at QPR, and Sheffield United and Burnley keep winning.”
Jayden Bogle scored the vital equaliser at QPR (Credit: Imago)
Elland Road holds its breath over international break
Farke and his staff will be keeping everything crossed that his players emerge from their respective international camps unscathed.
Some have already got underway with their national teams, while others await the weekend to begin.
POS Championship 2024-25 PLD PTS GD
1 LEEDS UNITED 38 80 +51
2 Sheffield United 38 80 +25
3 Burnley 38 78 +41
4 Sunderland 38 69 +18
Leeds are in what is probably now a three-horse race
Leeds are looking to head back to the Premier League at the second attempt, which could be the only way Farke keeps his job, and some players get their chance at the top level.
Swansea City are the next visitors to Elland Road once all have returned from across the globe (29 March).
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