Gary Neville explains why he is desperate for Leeds United to stay in the Premier League

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Leeds United sit in 11th place in the Premier League table, remain unbeaten at home, and the only criticism of the first six games is that Leeds have failed to hold onto points in injury time.

Eight points have come in the form of two wins over Everton and Wolves, two draws against Newcastle and Bournemouth, and then defeats to Arsenal and Fulham. Typically, both losses away in London.

Had games finished on the dot at 90 minutes, Leeds would have accumulated 11 points and sat as high as seventh place above Man City. But the reality is still ahead of where Leeds ever expected to be.

Leeds need to average a point a game to be sure that they will avoid the drop, and are currently ahead of that curve ahead of Tottenham’s visit to Elland Road on Saturday. Gary Neville has now had his say.

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Gary Neville explains why he hopes Leeds will stay up

Just moments before Leeds began their Premier League campaign, Neville was spotted saying he didn’t like Leeds fans without realising the cameras were on. Jamie Carragher has since teased Neville about it.

But the reality is that Neville hopes Leeds stay in the Premier League this season, for the good of the league. Speaking on his own podcast, Neville says he hopes Leeds, Sunderland, and Burnley stay up.

“We need to see teams from the Championship do well. Teams need to be given encouragement without bankrupting themselves. What Leeds have done, Burnley and Sunderland, but look, it’ll still be difficult.”

Leeds’ next five games could be crucial in avoiding relegation

Leeds have just one more game before the October international break, and then four more before the November break. Such is the way that the first few months of the season are interrupted three times.

A home game against Tottenham is next on Saturday, with Spurs failing to beat a poor Wolves side at home themselves last time out. Spurs will be in Norway this week, before facing Leeds on Saturday.

When the Premier League resumes after the October break, the Whites go to Burnley before facing West Ham at home. Then, two difficult away games against Brighton and Nottingham Forest. A key period.