Leeds United are going great guns in the Championship title race but it’s far from over yet and a newly emerged stat makes for some worrying reading.
It’s been a tough run of fixtures for Leeds United as they have faced three of their fellow top six sides in succession but they have emerged still top of the Championship table.
Both Sunderland and Sheffield United were seen off with dramatic winners after coming from behind but there was a minor slip up on Saturday against West Brom.
Despite taking the lead through Junior Firpo’s goal, Daniel Farke’s side couldn’t see the game out at Elland Road and drew 1-1.
A point against a very good side is not a disaster by any means but the Blades have managed to shorten the gap at the top to three points and it promises to be a dramatic title race going into the final games of the season.
What is worrying about the draw, though, is that it’s yet another Saturday early-kick off game Leeds have failed to win. It’s a habit that could prove costly.
Leeds United stat suggests struggles in early kick-offs
Despite their imperious form this season – having lost just three times – Leeds strangely struggle to win early kick-offs.
As @LUFCDATA points out on X, formerly Twitter, Leeds have won just two of their last 12 Championship matches that kicked off at 1:30 pm or earlier.
The two victories came at home to Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday, while there have also been four defeats and six draws.
The really concerning aspect of the stat, though, is that Leeds still have four games this season that kick-off at 12 or 12:30 pm and all of them are away, including the next three trips to Portsmouth, QPR and Luton.
The final match of the season at Plymouth has also been moved to a 12:30 pm kick-off, which has enraged Leeds fans.
It leaves Farke with a problem to solve.
How can Daniel Farke solve Leeds problem?
Farke hasn’t had too many problems to navigate this season and he has managed to deal with all the ones that have come his way.
Leeds coped with multiple injuries in defence thanks to the versatility of Sam Byram and Max Wober who were able to fill in at left-back when needed.
Patrick Bamford’s injury struggles have also left the side light on strikers and Leeds failed in an attempt to sign Cameron Archer in the January transfer window.
Yet, the scoring form of Joel Piroe coupled with Leeds’ immense talents on the flanks has meant that hasn’t been felt either. At least, not yet.
But how do you solve a problem like form dropping off at earlier kick-off times?
Is it just a weird statistical anomaly and there’s nothing to be done or can things be changed? Does preparation for earlier games need altering? Is the crowd not as up for it at that time? Do the players need to be more motivated?
It’s a hard one and must be bewildering for the manager, but it’s a problem he has to solve because if Leeds fail to win those four matches then the door will be left open for Sheffield United to pip them to the title.
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