Michael Owen’s verdict on Leeds United staying up is grounded in reality, but the real evidence sits in the fixture list rather than recent form.
Leeds are 15th and that alone gives context to the survival debate. They remain above Nottingham Forest and Tottenham, while West Ham remain in 18th and inside the relegation zone.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post this week, legendary Premier League striker Michael Owen said he feels Leeds will avoid relegation to the Championship with seven league games left to play.
How many points do Leeds need now?
Farke reckons 5-7.
“The Premier League is tough. Leeds had a good end to the year and beginning of 2026, picking up plenty of points to push up the table, but now the form has levelled out.
“I believe they can stay up. Their run-in isn’t as tough as others around them and also, having winnable games at Elland Road, they can get back scoring goals as their defence is pretty good.”
Fixture list compares favourably to Spurs, West Ham and Forest
The final seven games show Leeds facing a more balanced run than their direct rivals. Matches against Wolves, Burnley and West Ham give Leeds opportunities against sides in or around the bottom half.
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Tottenham’s schedule includes away trips to Chelsea and Aston Villa, which immediately raises the difficulty level. West Ham still have to face Arsenal and travel away in key fixtures.
Nottingham Forest’s run includes Chelsea and Manchester United, alongside difficult away games that limit their margin for error. Leeds’ run contains fewer top-end opponents and more direct contests.
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Form may have dipped, but rivals are no stronger
Leeds’ recent results show a side that has slowed after a strong spell, with draws and a defeat replacing earlier momentum. That drop-off matters, but it is matched by instability elsewhere in the table.
Spurs’ 3-0 defeat to Forest highlights their vulnerability at a critical stage of the season. West Ham’s recent results underline inconsistency, which explains why they remain in the relegation places.
Forest’s win at Tottenham shows they are capable, but they are still chasing Leeds from below. The key point is that none of the three sides behind Leeds are building sustained momentum to overtake.
Owen’s view is justified because Leeds are not relying on form alone, they are relying on structure. The table position and fixture list combine to give Leeds the clearest path to survival among the four clubs.
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