Leeds United remain top of of the Championship table with the international break a week old, but the race is expected to explode when players return from National Team duty.
Leeds were unable to beat QPR last time out prior to the international break. It has seen Daniel Farke win only once in the last four games, and allowed Burnley and Sheffield United to close the gap in the race.
The Whites have 16 players on National Team duty this week, with Sam Chambers, Mateo Joseph, Diogo Monteiro and Dan James all among the goals – while Manor Solomon provided the difference for Israel.
When Leeds return, there are eight Championship games to play beginning with Swansea at Elland Road on Saturday. Don Goodman thinks Leeds will hold on and secure promotion, but fans aren’t convinced.
Liam Cooper says if he thinks Leeds United will be promoted
Now at CSKA Sofia, Cooper remains a diehard Leeds fans after 10 years at Elland Road. The Scotland star scored his first goal since swapping Leeds for the Bulgarian side last summer, a 1-1 draw vs Cherno More.
In quotes published by Leeds Live, Elland Road icon Cooper responded when asked if he thinks Leeds will get the job done and secure promotion at the second attempt under gaffer Farke in the next few weeks.
“It’s been very different seeing it from the other side. When you’re inside, you do feel expectation and pressure. If you’d have asked me probably 10 days ago, I’d have said, 100% we’re going to win the league.
“By five or 10 points. Obviously results happen, people drop points, people gain points. But taking my Leeds hat off and being neutral, I think we have by far the best squad in the league,” Cooper continued.
“We’ve been the best team all season and hopefully that’s enough to get us over the line. I’ve not really seen one team who’s as good. I’m sure Daniel will get the job done, everything will be okay come May.”
Why Leeds United should remain confident of securing first place
There are two reasons why Leeds should be confident of securing a place in the Premier League at the second attempt. The first is that six of Leeds’ eight opponents sit in 14th place or below in the league.
But more importantly, Burnley and Sheffield United are doing battle in the third-to-last game of the season and that will see one team, if not both, drop points. Leeds have a much better run-in.
However, it is fair to say there is more on the line for Leeds. Failure to go up this season could see The Whites fall into mid-table obscurity, Daniel Farke sacked and Leeds’ best players leaving the club.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
