Leeds United never do things the easy way, do they?
The Whites moved back into the Championship's automatic promotion places with a 3-2 comeback win over Millwall, as Sheffield United went down by the same scoreline against Bristol City.
That win means there are just two points separating the Yorkshire rivals, although the Elland Road outfit may now have a clear run at securing Premier League football.
With Kemar Roofe set to return to fitness, United have gone from outsiders to favourites once again, in their quest for top-flight football.
What Marcelo Bielsa made of Sheffield United's loss and Leeds United's fans' reaction to it
Only one thing is for sure: there’s bound to be some more twists and turns along the way.
With that in mind, here’s how the Whites and their promotion rivals’ fixtures look.
Norwich City P39 81P
- Queens Park Rangers (H)
- Reading (H)
- Wigan Athletic (A)
- Sheffield Wednesday (H)
- Stoke City (A)
- Blackburn Rovers (H)
- Aston Villa (A)
The Canaries look to have one foot in the Premier League after a seventh straight Championship win on Saturday lifted them seven points clear of third place.
Onel Hernandez’s strike secured an impressive 1-0 win away at Middlesbrough as Daniel Farke’s side once again laid down their title credentials.
Tyler Roberts' reaction to finding out Leeds United had leapfrogged Sheffield United in the table
It would be a spectacular slip-up if the Canaries were to throw away promotion from this point. They have a lovely-looking run-in, with strugglers QPR, Reading and out-of-form Blackburn all travelling to Carrow Road.
A home fixture with in-form Sheffield Wednesday looks their toughest assignment, but that’s as tough as it gets. On the road, it’s not much tougher. Wigan’s home form is decent, while Stoke have stopped the rot, but none of these games will strike fear into Norwich.
Farke has done an amazing job this season and, for their consistency alone, they would be worthy, and unlikely, champions.
Leeds United P39 76P
- Birmingham City (A)
- Preston North End (A)
- Sheffield Wednesday (H)
- Wigan (H)
- Brentford (A)
- Aston Villa (H)
- Ipswich (A)
It wouldn’t be Leeds United if they did it the easy way, would it?
Saturday’s dramatic 3-2 win over Millwall, coupled with Sheffield United’s defeat, put the Whites’ promotion fate back in their own hands. With just a two-point buffer separating the Yorkshire rivals, United can’t afford any more slip-ups.
A tricky double-header awaits, with trips to Birmingham and Preston. The Blues are without a win in five, while Preston’s play-off hopes suffered a surprising blow against Reading at the weekend, which may help Leeds.
After that, two home fixtures against Sheffield Wednesday and Villa, with Wigan and Brentford sandwiched in between, could prove decisive. Each side has aspirations of reaching the top six, which will make things tough at Elland Road.
Overall, it’s in their own hands. It’s not the worst, but certainly not the kindest run-in. No doubt Marcelo Bielsa’s men will find some way to keep us on our toes, right to the very end.
Sheffield United P39 74P
- Preston (A)
- Birmingham (A)
- Millwall (H)
- Nottingham Forest (H)
- Hull City (A)
- Ipswich Town (H)
- Stoke (A)
Barry Douglas injury fears for Leeds United after memorable Millwall win
Sheffield United hadn’t conceded in 10-and-a-half hours of football before yesterday’s game, yet leaked three at home to Bristol City. Typical.
Next up is a season-defining trip to Preston, who will be hoping to get back to winning ways. That result could have a serious say in the race for automatic promotion, and the play-off battle.
Like Leeds, the Blades travel to Birmingham, before a home double-header with Millwall and Nottingham Forest. As the Whites saw yesterday, Millwall are no pushovers and need the points, as do Forest, albeit for different reasons.
Hull City and Ipswich Town have little to play for, after that, making them relatively friendly fixtures. At this stage in the season, there are no easy games, but the games against Preston and Nottingham Forest could go a long way in deciding the fate of Chris Wilder’s side.
