Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off saw Leeds United draw with West Brom with Junior Firpo’s header cancelled out by The Baggies just before half-time – but it is something Leeds fans have seen before.
After 35 games, Leeds remain well-placed to go and secure promotion to the Premier League at the second attempt under Daniel Farke. A whopping 76 points have been amassed, losing just three times.
Don Revie’s record of two losses in a season won’t be broken, but Farke could come incredible close to that if Leeds continue their unbeaten run between now and the end of the season with 11 games to play.
But after Saturday’s draw, a game Leeds had been expected to win given their incredible comeback wins over Sunderland and Sheffield United, fans are becoming aware of a concern that may derail Leeds.

Lunchtime KO’s could become Daniel Farke and Leeds’ nemesis
Leeds have averaged 2.17 points a game. A tally that should get The Whites promoted given it will give them a total of 99.82 points over a 46-game season, well over what is required to finish in first place.
But, of those 35 games, Leeds have played nine of them at lunchtime – between midday and 1.30PM. Of those matches, Leeds have managed just two wins which came against Sheffield Wednesday and Derby.
Two of their three defeats have come in those nine games against Burnley and Blackburn, the other an evening game at Millwall. A total of 11 points from nine lunchtime games, averaging 1.2 points a game.
| Date | KO time | Opponent | Venue | Score |
| August 10th, 2024 | 12.30PM | Portsmouth | Elland Road | 3-3 Draw |
| August 17th, 2024 | 12.30PM | West Brom | The Hawthorns | 0-0 Draw |
| September 14th, 2024 | 12.30PM | Burnley | Elland Road | 1-0 Loss |
| October 26th, 2024 | 12.30PM | Bristol City | Ashton Gate | 0-0 Draw |
| November 20th, 2024 | 1.30PM | Blackburn | Ewood Park | 1-0 Loss |
| December 7th, 2024 | 12.30PM | Derby | Elland Road | 2-0 Win |
| December 14th, 2024 | 12.30PM | Preston | Deepdale | 1-1 Draw |
| January 19th, 2025 | 12.00PM | Sheffield Wednesday | Elland Road | 3-0 Win |
| March 1st, 2025 | 12.30PM | West Brom | Elland Road | 1-1 Draw |
Why lunchtime form could now derail Leeds’ promotion bid
It is more than a trend and something that Leeds do need to look at, perhaps in terms of preparation or simply why they are struggling to win points when picked to go in front of the television cameras early.
While it might have been a noticeable trend beforehand, it is now a concern because three of Leeds’ next 11 games will be played at lunchtime. Possibly more, if the Football League choose to rearrange them.
Scheduled lunchtime kick-offs as things stand:
| Date | KO time | Opponent | Venue | Reverse fixture result |
| March 9th, 2025 | 12.00PM | Portsmouth | Fratton Park | 3-3 draw at Elland Road |
| March 15th, 2025 | 12.30PM | QPR | Loftus Road | 2-0 win at Elland Road |
| April 5th, 2025 | 12.30PM | Luton Town | Kenilworth Road | 3-0 win at Elland Road |
Not only do Leeds face three of their remaining 11 games at lunchtime with the growing trend in the back of their minds, but they are all away from home. Leeds must get to the bottom of this quickly.
Or, the lunchtime kick-off hoodoo could threaten to affect Leeds to the point where they may only get three or four points – judging by their ratio of 1.2 so far at lunchtime – and give up five or six points.
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