Every other relegation rival will be envious of Leeds United in this regard
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
07:00, 25 Feb 2026
Leeds United have a lot of matches against relegation rivals coming up
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Leeds United have a lot of matches against relegation rivals coming up(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
“Each and every game is an opportunity to get points” is a line used by Daniel Farke more than once this season.
The Leeds United boss has consistently bristled against the notion of a ‘must-win’ game against a Premier League relegation rival or a ‘free hit’ versus a title challenger.
He will undoubtedly toe a similar line ahead of Saturday’s visit of Manchester City, while acknowledging the reality of the chasm in quality - at least on paper.
Leeds only lost by a goal back at the Etihad Stadium in November, in a game that turned Farke’s fortunes around - United have lost just two of their 14 league matches since then. City are the final current top three club Leeds play for the rest of the season.
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In fact, after Saturday, United only play one present top six team - Manchester United - in their final 10 games and one Champions League outfit in Tottenham Hotspur, now relegation rivals.
Enticingly, the likes of Brentford, Burnley and Wolves still need to come to Elland Road while points will be on offer in the final day trip to West Ham United.
In fact, the only bottom eight side Leeds do not play in the run-in - aside from themselves, of course - is Nottingham Forest.
Again, on paper, Leeds have the easiest run-in out of the bottom six when it comes to average position. The average rank of their final 11 opponents is 12th place, which slips to 13th after playing Manchester City this weekend.
For comparison, as outlined by Sky Sports, bottom club Wolves have the next best run, with the average position of their 10 remaining opponents being 12th.
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A general view as Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters leave early(Image: PA)
West Ham and Nottingham Forest - who both have 11 games left - have the toughest run-ins, with the rounded up average ninth place. For Burnley it is 10th and for Tottenham, 11th.
Of course, upcoming opponents can pick up and drop off form while injuries and suspensions can come into play. What the average position is today might not be the same in a week’s time.
But in terms of which fixture lists look more appetising, none are more so than Leeds’.
If West Ham, Forest and Spurs wish to ensure they are not among the bottom three, they must overcome steeper challenges than the Whites. For Leeds, they just need to ensure there are three worse teams than them to fulfil their ambition.
Run-ins for bottom six clubs listed
*bold = current top 10 club
Leeds United
Manchester City (H)
Sunderland (H)
Crystal Palace (A)
Brentford (H)
Manchester United (A)
Wolves (H)
Bournemouth (A)
Burnley (H)
Tottenham (A)
Brighton (H)
West Ham (A)
Tottenham Hotspur
Fulham (A)
Crystal Palace (A)
Liverpool (A)
Nottingham Forest (H)
Sunderland (A)
Brighton (H)
Wolves (A)
Aston Villa (A)
Leeds United (H)
Chelsea (A)
Everton (H)
Nottingham Forest
Brighton (A)
Manchester City (A)
Fulham (H)
Tottenham (A)
Aston Villa (H)
Burnley (H)
Sunderland (A)
Chelsea (A)
Newcastle (H)
Manchester United (A)
Bournemouth (H)
West Ham United
Liverpool (A)
Fulham (A)
Manchester City (H)
Aston Villa (A)
Wolves (H)
Crystal Palace (A)
Everton (H)
Brentford (A)
Arsenal (H)
Newcastle (A)
Leeds United (H)
Burnley
Brentford (H)
Everton (A)
Bournemouth (H)
Fulham (A)
Brighton (H)
Nottingham Forest (A)
Manchester City (H)
Leeds United (A)
Aston Villa (H)
Arsenal (A)
Wolves (H)
Wolves (10 games)
Aston Villa (H)
Liverpool (H)
Brentford (A)
West Ham (A)
Leeds United (A)
Tottenham (H)
Sunderland (H)
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Brighton (A)
Fulham (H)
Burnley (A)