Leeds United are back on top of the Championship table with five games left to play, thanks to a crucial 1-0 win over Middlesbrough on Tuesday night at The Riverside.
Dan James’ early strike proved enough for Daniel Farke’s side to secure all three points. But the margin should have been a whole lot larger, but for linesman Darren Williams to wrongly rule two goals offside.
Mark Clattenburg questioned why Williams was able to run the line at Championship level after his two howlers, having already incorrectly ruled Joel Piroe and Willy Gnonto goals as offside earlier this season.
But Leeds held on to win 1-0 on Teesside on the same night that Burnley could only draw with Derby and Sheffield United suffered a second consecutive loss at home to Millwall, after Chris Wilder slammed fans.
Andy Hinchcliffe predicts who finishes first after Leeds win
To Hinchcliffe’s credit, he has always backed Leeds this season. As early as November, Sky Sports pundit Hinchcliffe said he felt Leeds would finish in the top two – and with five left to go, it certainly looks like it.
Next up for Leeds is Preston at home on Saturday, after Burnley host Norwich on Friday while Sheffield United make the long trip south to take on rock-bottom Plymouth. Hinchcliffe thinks Leeds finish first.
“They’ve been the best team in the league for so long and we’re going to drop into the play-offs – but that looks like it won’t happen now after that win. I’ve always said, my confidence hasn’t wavered.
“I’ve always said Leeds, plus one. Best team in the league, best team to watch. Even the best sides have wobbles, it is the Championship. It looks like Leeds plus one,” he told Sky Sports’ EFL Essential podcast.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LeedsLeeds | 41 | 24 | 13 | 4 | 80 | 28 | 52 | 85 |
| 2 |  BurnleyBurnley | 41 | 23 | 16 | 2 | 55 | 12 | 43 | 85 |
| 3 |  Sheff UtdSheffield Utd | 41 | 26 | 7 | 8 | 56 | 31 | 25 | 83 |
| 4 |  SunderlandSunderland | 41 | 21 | 13 | 7 | 57 | 37 | 20 | 76 |
How many points do Leeds United need to go up?
As stated above, the table reads Leeds and Burnley on 85 points with Farke’s men ahead due to goal difference. In third after two straight losses, Sheffield United are on 83 – having been deducted two.
Gary Lineker thinks Leeds have the ‘favour’ in the race to go up, because Burnley and Sheffield United do battle on April 21. Now, Leeds can get 100 points if they win their remaining five Championship matches.
So can Burnley, but if they win all five that means Sheffield United can only win four games – taking them to 95. If Sheffield United beat Burnley, they can accumulate 98 points, limiting Burnley to a total of 97.
If both sides draw, it would mean Burnley can get 98 and Sheffield United can get 96. Leeds then, to be absolutely sure, currently need 98 to absolutely guarantee themselves a place in the top two.
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