Leeds United fans seem to have consigned themselves to a place in the Championship play-offs after back-to-back defeats ended any hope of automatic promotion.
The Whites need a near miracle to steal second spot from Sheffield United, with two games left to play.
The Blades hold a three-point lead and boast a superior goal difference, which makes one win from their final games enough to seal a Premier League return.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side take on Aston Villa on Sunday, before travelling to rock-bottom Ipswich Town on the final day of the season.
The Blades, similarly, take on Paul Lambert’s side on Saturday and then clash with Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium.
So, is there any hope for the Whites? Well here’s how the reverse fixtures panned out earlier in the campaign.
Ipswich Town 1-1 Sheffield United – December 22
It wasn’t quite a ‘nightmare before Christmas’, but it wasn’t an ideal result for Chris Wilder's side as they dropped points against the relegation strugglers.
The promotion hopefuls were forced to come from behind too, as Billy Sharp cancelled out Ellis Harrison’s opener.
The result left the Blades sixth in the table, nine points behind second-placed Norwich City and 10 short of Leeds. How times have changed.
Sheffield United 1-1 Stoke City – October 23
The Blades were held to a 1-1 draw by Stoke at Bramall Lane, with Joe Allen’s 88th-minute leveller denying Chris Wilder’s team all three points. This blip was the second game in a six-match dip in form for Sheff Utd, as they won once in six outings.
Stoke, similarly, weren’t in the best of form, but still managed to get a result, which may offer some consolation for Whites supporters.
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The draw saw Blades drop to third in the table behind Middlesbrough, yes, they were that high once upon a time, but level on points with the Whites and Tony Pulis’s side.
Aston Villa 2-3 Leeds United - December 23
A spectacular match which had everything. As if you need reminding, Bielsa’s side found themselves 2-0 down at the break, but battled back to win the match in the most spectacular fashion, with Kemar Roofe stealing the points in the 95th minute.
The game also marked Jack Clarke’s first goal in a Whites shirt as the Whites extended their winning run to six straight matches.
The victory took them back to the top of the table, a point clear of Norwich, with 23 games played.
Leeds United 2-0 Ipswich Town – October 24
One of the more routine victories for Bielsa’s men this campaign, as United comfortably dispatched the Tractor Boys.
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Goals in each half from Roofe and captain Liam Cooper did the business as the Whites stood proud at the top of the division.
While the remaining fixtures favour at least one Blades win, Whites supporters can take some solace from the fact Wilder’s men haven’t beaten either of their two opponents this season.
The important thing for the Whites is that, should the Blades slip up, they make the most of their opportunity. After all, who would have predicted Wigan Athletic winning at Elland Road?
