Chris Wilder sums up Sheffield United’s chances of automatic promotion as Leeds United go five clear again

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Leeds United fans will be waking up on Sunday and instantly double-checking the Championship table, just to make sure Saturday was real. The Whites took a giant leap towards the Premier League.

After the win at Bramall Lane towards the end of February, Leeds were five clear at the top of the table. But a run of one win in six and three consecutive draws meant Daniel Farke’s men slipped to third place.

The Luton Town draw allowed Burnley and Sheffield United to go ahead. However, Leeds have quickly put it right thanks to two successive wins just at the right time – while Sheffield United have now capitulated.

Three straight defeats against sides they should have beaten. Oxford United away, then Millwall at home and on Saturday, Plymouth came from behind to beat Sheffield United while Leeds beat Preston 2-1.

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Chris Wilder reacts after Sheffield United suffer Plymouth defeat

Wilder let himself down after the full-time result, angrily reacting to Leeds’ Darko Gyabi and his Plymouth teammate walking past the Blades support. Leeds fans responded to Wilder’s actions following the loss.

Ramifications are likely for Wilder and his side, but the Sheffield United manager did not mention those issues in his post-match interview. He did discuss his side’s push for the top two, after a third straight loss.

Wilder says “you can’t” lose three games in a row at this stage and expect to push for the top two places: “You can’t lose today, to a team at the bottom of the division and expect to get out of the division.

“You can’t lose – or you’ve got to recover and win the next two. You can’t lose three games in a row and be knocking on the door. We put ourselves in a great position, but we’ve let it slip, we have to own that.”

What Leeds United now need to secure automatic promotion…

Ultimately, it all depends on the clash between Sheffield United and Burnley. But the totals are reducing as Sheffield United continue to lose matches and look destined for the Championship play-offs this term.

If Sheffield United win their remaining four matches, they can still achieve 95 points. But given Leeds have more than double their goal difference, that means Leeds only need to reach the same total of points.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	42	25	13	4	82	29	53	88
2	BurnleyBurnley	42	24	16	2	57	13	44	88
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	42	26	7	9	57	33	24	83
4	SunderlandSunderland	42	21	13	8	57	38	19	76

With Leeds five clear of the Blades on 88, it means Leeds need just seven from their remaining five games and that is if Wilder’s struggling side go to Burnley and end their unbeaten run of 29 matches. Unlikely.