The earliest Leeds United can secure promotion to the Premier League after EFL decision

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Leeds United are closing in on promotion back to the Premier League and this is the earliest it could be confirmed.

A lot can change in a week and Leeds United climbed from the pit of despair to the cusp of Premier League promotion over seven days.

Things looked perilous for Daniel Farke’s side after a draw with lowly Luton Town but successive victories over Middlesbrough and Preston have changed everything.

Sheffield United’s shocking implosion has certainly helped, with Chris Wilder completely losing his cool as the Blades lost three matches in a row.

The latest came against rock bottom Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, giving Leeds a five-point gap from Sheffield United in third place.

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

It’s by no means over yet, and Leeds could just as easily still find a way to mess things up, but promotion could be secured over Easter Weekend if results go their way.

This is the earliest that supporters could begin to celebrate.

How Leeds United can secure Premier League promotion the quickest on Easter Weekend

As is EFL tradition, the Easter Weekend will see a double header of fixtures taking place on Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Leeds take on Oxford United away late on the Friday before returning to Elland Road to face Stoke City on Monday.

Sheffield United, meanwhile, have Cardiff City at home on Friday before travelling to Burnley on Monday, in what once looked like a clash to decide the title.

With Burnley level on points with Leeds, their results aren’t relevant at the weekend when it comes to finishing in the top two, though the title race could still go down to the wire.

There are multiple different scenarios for how the Championship table could look after the weekend but this is how Leeds can secure promotion the quickest.

Should Sheffield United fail to beat Cardiff on Friday and Leeds win both of their games, then promotion will be secured at full-time against Stoke, before action even gets underway at Turf Moor.

The EFL’s decision to have Leeds play earlier than that fixture on Monday could lead to its stakes being reduced, though the Blades and Scott Parker’s side will still be duking it out for the last remaining spot.

Leeds would know they can go up ahead of the game, which could make for some sickening nerves if a lead isn’t established early.

Yet, this would be the best case scenario over the weekend, especially as it would allow the players, management and fans to celebrate together at Elland Road.

Other Leeds United promotion scenarios

To put it simply, if Leeds secure a higher points tally than the Blades over the two fixtures, then they will be in the Premier League.

Should Leeds win both their games and Sheffield United defeat Cardiff, then anything less than a win at Burnley would also hand Leeds the keys to the top flight.

Goal difference can only come into play if Leeds gain four points and the Blades three over the weekend, leaving a six-point gap with two games left. However, Leeds’ vastly superior goal difference means any unlikely event when it is needed will be in their favour.

If both teams win both their games, that would keep a five-point gap with two matches to go and leave the chance for another late twist. Wilder’s side play before Leeds the following weekend and would have the chance to pile on the pressure.

In a nightmare scenario, Leeds could finish the weekend a point behind Sheffield United if they conspired to lose both games and Sheffield United won theirs. But let’s not think about that.