It’s all too familiar a feeling for Leeds United fans as they sit back and watch their side press self-destruct for a second successive season in the race for automatic promotion.
Leeds were top last season at one point, only to pick up four points in the last six games of the season and finish third. The play-offs saw Leeds lose to Southampton at Wembley, Adam Armstrong scoring.
This season, it’s happening again. One win in six games, drawing the last three following Saturday’s 1-1 tie against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road and now, fifth-placed Middlesbrough host Daniel Farke’s men.
With six games left to play, the play-offs are a real possibility for a second time running as Sheffield United and Burnley look to strengthen their top-two position. Alan Shearer has been discussing the race.
Alan Shearer makes worrying prediction in race for top two
The race for automatic promotion takes another intriguing turn on Tuesday night with all three clubs in action. Leeds go to Boro, Sheffield United host Millwall and Burnley take on John Eustace’s Derby.
Speaking to The Rest Is Football after being informed by Gary Lineker that just two points separate the top three, Newcastle and England icon Shearer discussed the race – saying “heartache” is inevitable.
“So tight. Can you imagine going bang, bang, bang and missing out on automatic promotion and going through the dreaded play-offs. We’ve seen many times that third team never gets success in the play-offs.
“It’s this euphoria of going up, it can bring a lot of heartache for the clubs who come up, but you work so hard to get where you want to go. One of them may now miss out and will have to do it the hard way.”
The one thing working in Leeds’ favour in last six matches
Gary Lineker identified it earlier this month, and it is that Sheffield United and Burnley still have to do battle on April 21. It will see one of the two sides lose, or both sides drop points and it ends up in a draw.
It is massively advantageous to Leeds, with other points likely to be dropped along the way. Following the tricky clash at an in-form Luton in a ground like Kenilworth Road, Boro may actually be somewhat easier.
Indeed, Farke’s record against Boro is excellent – winning eight of 10 career matches and losing only once. That loss came this season in the Carabao Cup, with Farke changing much of his starting XI last August.
Boro are also without six players on Tuesday night and three more are doubts. Luke Ayling will definitely be unavailable, but Dael Fry, George Edmundson and Neto Borges are waiting to see if they can play.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
