Chris Wilder has been outspoken about the race for automatic promotion from the Championship to the Premier League and his latest comments are interesting as Leeds United battle Sheffield United.
While Daniel Farke keeps his cards close to his chest about the race to finish in first or second and avoid the play-offs, Wilder has been more honest in front of reports when it comes to the promotion battle.
As things stand, Leeds sit in first place and are two points ahead of Sheffield United. The Blades’ started the Championship season on -2, and that is the difference between first and second at the moment.
Leeds are three ahead of Burnley and five ahead of Sunderland, in what has become a mini-race for the top two between four sides. Speaking this week, Wilder gave his verdict on whether Leeds will drop off.
Chris Wilder shares if he thinks Leeds United will now drop off
The 0-0 draw against Burnley on Monday night was a solid result for Leeds and indeed, Burnley. While both sides would have preferred a win, it sees both clubs stay solid in the hunt for automatic promotion.
Speaking to The Star this week ahead of the Championship’s 30th round of matches on the weekend, Wilder said if he thinks Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland will drop off over the course of the next 17 games.
“We’re all immersed in it and looking. ‘What are Leeds doing, what are Sunderland doing, what are Burnley doing?’ we need to be at our strongest going into the last part of the season,” Wilder said
“Because I don’t see anyone else easing up. We’ve got to be strong, physically, mentally, tactically and technically, and take the big moments when they come up,” the Sheffield United manager continued.
Leeds United’s next five games could be make or break
Leeds’ next five games are tough. It could be make or break for The Whites, with Farke’s men facing two of their nearest and dearest having played Burnley for the second time on Monday, drawing 0-0.
| Leeds’ next five | Sheff Utd’s next five | Burnley’s next five | Sunderland’s next five |
| Sat 1 February Cardiff (H) Prediction: 3-0 | Sat 1 February Derby (A) Prediction: 1-2 | Sat 1 February Portsmouth (A) Prediction: 0-1 | Mon 3 Feb Middlesbrough (A) Prediction: 2-2 |
| Wed 5 February Coventry (A) Prediction: 1-2 | Sat 8 February Portsmouth (H) Prediction: 3-0 | Tue 4 February Oxford United (H) Prediction: 2-0 | Sat 8 February Watford (H) Prediction: 1-2 |
| Tue 11 February Watford (A) Prediction: 0-1 | Wed 12 February Middlesbrough (H) Prediction: 2-2 | Wed 12 February Hull (H) Prediction: 1-0 | Wed 12 February Luton (H) Prediction: 2-1 |
| Mon 17 February Sunderland (H) Prediction: 2-2 | Sat 15 February Luton (A) Prediction: 1-1 | Sat 15 February Preston (A) Prediction: 0-0 | Mon 17 February Leeds (A) Prediction: 2-2 |
| Mon 24 February Sheff Utd (A) Prediction: 2-1 | Mon 24 February Leeds (H) Prediction: 2-1 | Fri 21 February Sheff Wed (H) Prediction: 1-1 | Sat 22 Feb Hull (H) Prediction: 1-1 |
| Total: 10 points | Total: 11 points | Total: 11 points | Total: 9 points |
If the predictions ring true, then after the next five games the race for promotion will be as close as it has been for a while. Leeds will still be top, but the games will get easier after the next five outings.
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