IN this data-driven modern football world, there are a constant stream of numbers flying around which can either perturb or pacify managers.
Which brings us nicely to the topic of Leeds United and late goals.
Their concession at Aston Villa last Saturday – with Tammy Abraham equalising for the hosts with two minutes remaining of regulation time – constituted the 12th league goal this term that Leeds have let in after the 86th minute.
It's a Premier League high, as is their relinquishing of nine points in the dying minutes of matches.
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke.placeholder image
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke.
The number crunchers have also worked out that if top-flight games lasted 85 minutes in 2025-26, then Leeds would sit in ninth place.
Fortunately, they reside in 15th position and have a bit of daylight between themselves and the relegation positions. While late concessions undeniably form a part of the season's narrative so far for United, it does not look like being the biggest story.
Never less than fully prepared at press conference time, Farke also cited some examples of last-gasp goals going Leeds’ way.
On the aforesaid topic, Farke, whose side welcome title-chasing Manchester City on Saturday evening – Phil Foden scored a stoppage-time winner in the reverse fixture – said: “It's never one easy reason or one button you have to press. There are several reasons, of course.
Wing-back Gabriel Gudmundsson on the ball for Leeds United.placeholder image
Wing-back Gabriel Gudmundsson on the ball for Leeds United.
“We always have to go over the line in terms of what we do with our output. We can't decide who we are playing on a Champions League level, of course. Sometimes they have pressure and at some point, just due to their qualities, they're also capable sometimes to score a goal.
“It's also still a bit down to the fact that it's just our first season on a Premier League level and it comes with experience and a bit more maturity to deal with the situations a bit better.
“It has to do with the quality that the opponents are also capable to bring from the bench on the pitch, especially offensively; when I think about the offensive substitutions, for example, that Villa was capable to bring on.
“It has also to do with situations when you score the second goal and normally the game is buried; that you could be even a bit more effective in the other box.
“There are several reasons, but I'm not sure if I would really say that we should leave the last 15 minutes away because we have also won so many important points in the last minutes. I think about equalisers against Liverpool and late goal against Everton that instead of having one point earns us three points.
“I think about late goal against Fulham, that wins us three points instead of one point.
“Of course, once you're a promoted side, you're more likely to sometimes lose late points instead of winning sometimes when you're just a dominating side. I think that's also quite normal, but I wouldn't interpret too much in it.”
Leeds have lost their last five Elland Road meetings against City and the hosts' last victory in West Yorkshire arrived almost 22 years ago.
Their laudable efforts against other big-six sides from the north in Liverpool and Manchester United, alongside Everton and Newcastle United on home soil so far this campaign should at least provide a spot of succour.
City's recent second-half record, they have scored just twice in nine Premier League matches since December 27, affords another inkling of hope for the glass-is-half-full brigade. When told about that statistic, Farke afforded himself a wry smile.
Ever the realist, he is the first to admit that it would take something 'extraordinary' for his side to claim the scalp of City and surpass any previous individual feat so far in 25-26.
He commented: “You have a look at the top form table. They're in position one. (Erling) Haaland is on 22 goals and Antoine Semenyo is on 13 goals. There's goals all over the park.
“They have the best manager in the world and top players. We need an extraordinary day to be successful.
“So what can we do... We know about our home form and what we've done also at Elland Road.
“But it's also important to be realistic. We have to make sure that we go over the line in our physical output, spirit and our mentality with what we have to bring to the game. We have to be spot on in our game plan and tactical behaviour.
“We have to be super-effective in both boxes. And then we are perhaps capable to make a tight game out of this. But furthermore, we need everyone to chip in.”
Influential left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson is available for this weekend. The Swede, impressive since moving to the club last summer, had been a doubt after coming off with illness in last weekend’s draw against at Villa Park.
Farke confirmed: “Gabi is recovered, that’s good news. Just Noah (Okafor) is out and will miss this game.
“All the others are ready, in training and in a good mood and want to play.”