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The worrying trend now threatening to derail Leeds United’s pursuit of promotion to the Premier League

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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.

Watford FC v Leeds United FC - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by Harry Murphy – Danehouse/Getty Images

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.

DateKO timeOpponentVenueScore
August 10th, 202412.30PMPortsmouthElland Road3-3 Draw
August 17th, 202412.30PMWest BromThe Hawthorns0-0 Draw
September 14th, 202412.30PMBurnleyElland Road1-0 Loss
October 26th, 202412.30PMBristol CityAshton Gate0-0 Draw
November 20th, 20241.30PMBlackburnEwood Park1-0 Loss
December 7th, 202412.30PMDerbyElland Road2-0 Win
December 14th, 202412.30PMPrestonDeepdale1-1 Draw
January 19th, 202512.00PMSheffield WednesdayElland Road3-0 Win
March 1st, 202512.30PMWest BromElland Road1-1 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:

DateKO timeOpponentVenueReverse fixture result
March 9th, 202512.00PMPortsmouthFratton Park3-3 draw at Elland Road
March 15th, 202512.30PMQPRLoftus Road2-0 win at Elland Road
April 5th, 202512.30PMLuton TownKenilworth Road3-0 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.