IF LEEDS United beat Nottingham Forest at Elland Road tonight, they will move nine points clear of the relegation zone with a third of the season still to play.
It would represent a pretty strong position. For his part, Daniel Farke is only concerned with one number - and not the total of 29 points which his side will move onto should they prevail this evening.
Farke said: "I know in previous seasons that even 29 points would have been enough to stay in this league.
"I don’t think that, even if we win on Friday night, that 29 points will be enough this season to stay in this league. Who knows, but I don’t think so.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke (left) reacts as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta looks on during the recent Premier League match at Elland Road, Leeds. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.placeholder image
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke (left) reacts as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta looks on during the recent Premier League match at Elland Road, Leeds. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.
"You need to come as close as possible to this one-point average per game of 38 points.
"As long as you have not achieved 38 points, you are in danger. So, for me, all the teams who have not reached 38 points so far are still in danger of getting relegated.
"Of course for some, it’s very unlikely and for others it’s a bit more likely. So each and every point helps.”
Fourth-from-bottom Forest are level on points and goal difference with Leeds, who are ahead of the East Midlanders on goals scored.
Leeds United defender Jaka Bijol, who is back in contention for the Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest.placeholder image
Leeds United defender Jaka Bijol, who is back in contention for the Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest.
The game is given extra focus in the fact that the side occupying the final relegation spot in West Ham go to second-from-bottom Burnley on Saturday. The Clarets are cast adrift alongside rock-bottom Wolves and are winless in 15 league matches since October 26.
Farke, for his part, places no additional importance on this evening.
"It has the same importance of the 24 games before and the 13 after the Forest game," the German insisted.
"When we speak about the 12 points that we need to reach 38 points, perhaps we will do it with three wins and three draws.
"We could also do it with four wins and that may happen in the crunch-time period of the season.
"We could even do it in the last six games of the season but, the more points we win earlier, the less pressure we will have at the end."