Leeds United return after a 16-day hiatus from Premier League action with a trip to Crystal Palace on Monday night. The Whites will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run to five matches when they make the visit to Selhurst Park, and in the process ease some of the relegation worries that were brought about from Burnley’s win over Southampton on Thursday.
The Clarets are now five points behind Leeds having played the same amount of matches, but on paper have a considerably easier run in to the end of the season. Everton, meanwhile, now sit just one point above the drop, but do have a game in hand on both of Leeds and Burnley.
With the season now very much in the final straight, every game from now until the end of the season has a significant level of importance. So with that in mind, here is a look at both the best and worst case scenario for Leeds this weekend.
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Best case
Both Everton and Burnley play before Leeds this weekend as they face sides in the higher reaches of the table. The Toffees make the daunting trip to Anfield as they go head-to-head with Liverpool in the Merseyside derby, looking to become the first team to beat Jurgen Klopp’s side at home this season.
Burnley have a slightly easier task, though do face a side vying for a finish in the European places as they host Wolves. Of course, the best case here would be for Leeds to go into their trip to Crystal Palace with both sides having lost before them, with the motivation of opening up a considerable margin to the bottom three if they secure all three points.
If this scenario does play out, Leeds would then move eight clear of Burnley, and seven clear of Everton. That’s clear daylight at this stage of the season.
Worst case
Alternatively, though, Leeds could be under huge pressure at Selhurst Park if the two sides directly below them both secure three points. The Whites could be just two points clear of the relegation zone the next time they play, if results go the worst possible way.
It is unlikely that Everton will pull off arguably the shock of the season at Anfield, though in a derby anything could happen. Burnley, though, will certainly fancy their chances at Turf Moor given their form since Sean Dyche’s sacking, as well as Wolves’ poor recent form.
Tensions will certainly be raised if this scenario does occur, as Leeds will go into a run of matches against Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal in need of some points.
