Leeds United manager Daniel Farke, Leeds badge
Leeds United are back in Premier League action this weekend when they travel to Villa Park to take on Aston Villa.
In recent days, the talk between Leeds supporters has been focused on the FA Cup, after United progressed into the fifth round of the competition after defeating Birmingham on penalties.
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Leeds received another favourable draw, with the Whites set to face Norwich at home, with a place in the quarter finals up for grabs.
However, Daniel Farke’s men can not get too carried away with Leeds still firmly in a relegation battle in the Premier League, with one Elland Road insider making a sensational claim regarding Leeds’ fight to stay in the top flight.
Adam Pope believes Nottingham Forest sacking Sean Dyche ‘plays into Leeds’ hands’
Forest are one of the teams embroiled in the relegation battle with Leeds, with the Whites recently picking up a massive three points against their relegation rivals when the two sides met during the first week of February.
Since then, Forest have sacked Sean Dyche and appointed former Wolves boss Vitor Pereira in his place, who is their fourth manager of the campaign.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, Adam Pope feels as though it is a decision that will ultimately favour Leeds.
“The Dyche one is mad, whether you like Dyche or not, about what he does. We looked at the form – his form was really good. I think he was eighth in the form table over the last six games; they had drawn with Arsenal,” Pope said.
“I was listening to a Forest fan last night saying that they actually played rubbish against Wolves despite having 30-odd shots. But they didn’t lose the game.
“They were poor at Elland Road, but I think that massively plays into Leeds’ hands and everyone else down at the bottom.
“Suddenly, I think Forest seem the most vulnerable, Spurs are not far away.”
READ MORE:£43k a week Leeds United star to be handed brutal reality check by Daniel Farke ahead of Aston Villa clash – The Leeds Press
Data suggests Leeds should not even be competitive with Nottingham Forest
Given the fact that Forest only qualified for Europe last season, it is incredible that after 26 Premier League matches, Leeds sit 15th, three points ahead of Forest in 17th.
Given the values of both squads, according to Transfermarkt, Forest should be way above Leeds in the table.
Total Squad Value Comparison
Club Total Squad Value
Leeds United £279,873,954
Nottingham Forest £515,875,200
The fact that Farke even has Leeds competing with squads of this calibre is a testament to the fine work the German is doing in West Yorkshire, and if he were to keep Leeds in the Premier League, it would arguably be his greatest managerial achievement to date.
READ MORE:Daniel Farke will be sweating as Aston Villa handed major injury boost ahead of clash with Leeds United – The Leeds Press