Leeds United have a rich history and a devoted fanbase. After suffering relegation last season, the Whites have the chance to be promoted to the Premier League at the first time of asking, which is an exciting prospect for fans.
With just one Championship game remaining, the Whites are no longer in control of their promotion destiny, having handed Leicester City their tickets to the Premier League after being thumped by QPR on Friday night.
Their defeat in west London also means Ipswich have the opportunity to wrest control of the promotion battle heading into the final weekend. The Tractor Boys, who also have a game in hand on the Whites, can go three clear of Leeds with a win over Coventry in midweek. If Ipswich can grab four points from their final two matches, Daniel Farke's side will be consigned to the play-offs.
Of course, it's not the end of the world if the automatic promotion places end up being out of reach, but the scary thing about the play-offs is that it can be a lottery at times.
Let's take a look at how things could pan out for Leeds and what fans could expect…
Championship Table: Latest standings for the 2024/25 season
Latest English Football League Championship standings 2024/25.
ByStephan Georgiou Leeds United's 2022/23 season
The 2022/23 season for Leeds ended up being one to forget. However, there were some memorable moments along the way, which included beating Liverpool and Chelsea. Although, there were a fair few manager changes, as Jesse Marsch, Michael Skubala, Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce all had their turns at the helm.
Leeds' late-season collapse was what did for them as they gave up three goals in 20 minutes against Arsenal, five in slightly over 30 minutes versus Crystal Palace at home, six in 55 minutes against Liverpool, and two in five minutes against Bournemouth. Leeds broke the Premier League record for the leakiest defence in a single month as they gave up 23 goals in April alone.
After defeating Nottingham Forest at home on 4th April, they should have gained newfound energy and confidence; instead, they took two of the next 27 points available, fired their manager, and let themselves get deeper into trouble.
They ended up finishing in 19th on 31 points for the season.
Leeds in 2023/24
Leeds United got off to a very slow start in the current Championship campaign, winning just one of their first five matches. They were sent crashing out of the Carabao Cup in the second round on penalties, as Salford City sailed through.
In the FA Cup, Leeds made it all the way to the fifth round and probably should have made it further if they put their chances away, but it was Chelsea who ran out as 3-2 winners at Stamford Bridge.
However, things were transformed since the slow start in the league, as the Whites made an incredible start to 2024, going on a 12-match unbeaten run, which included a nine-game win streak in the Championship.
Unfortunately, their run-in brought about some of their worst form of the season, and after just one win in their last five games, now risk missing out on automatic promotion ahead of next weekend's final-day clash against Southampton.
When Leeds United can get promoted to the Premier League
As mentioned, Leeds are firmly in the race for promotion from the Championship. The top two go up automatically to the Premier League, with teams placed 3rd-6th entering the play-offs.
Leeds' defeat to QPR has put the onus on Ipswich to seal their fate. With Leicester assured of a place in next season's Premier League, Ipswich will join them if they can earn four points from their last six available.
With the Tractor Boys dropping points away at Hull City last week, the race is guaranteed to go to the final day. However, Kieran McKenna's side need just a point from their upcoming trip to Coventry to be in control next weekend. The Tractor Boys host the all-but-relegated Huddersfield Town, while Leeds face the tougher assignment of Southampton at Elland Road, with the Saints now certain to finish outside the top two in fourth.
Put simply, if Ipswich win their games, they will be promoted this weekend. If they fail to do so, Leeds can pounce if they slip up on the final day.
Leeds United
Southampton (H)
If Ipswich win v Coventry: Win and Ipswich lose
If Ipswich draw v Coventry: Win and Ipswich lose or draw
If Ipswich lose v Coventry: Win and Ipswich don't win by 9+
Ipswich Town
Huddersfield (H)
If they win v Coventry: win or draw
If they draw v Coventry: win; draw and Leeds draw/lose; lose and Leeds lose
If they lose v Coventry: win and Leeds draw/lose; draw and Leeds lose
Championship play-offs 2024: Fixtures, ticket info, prize money & more
FFC looks forward to the 2023/24 Championship play-offs with all you need to know, including updated ticket information.
ByLuke Randall Leeds United's fixtures and standings
Pos
Team
Played
GD
Pts
Leicester
44
+47
94
Leeds
45
+39
90
Ipswich
44
+32
90
Southampton
45
+23
84
Norwich
45
+16
73
West Brom
45
+20
72
Leeds will definitely have their promotion dream on the line on Saturday afternoon, but will be helpless to entering the play-offs if rivals Ipswich can do their own job. Daniel Farke's Whites just have to better the Tractor Boys' result on the final day to return to the Premier League at the first attempt.
Date
Competition
Opposition
H/A
4th May
Championship
Southampton
H
Leeds United's results
Leeds' shocking result against QPR leaves promotion out of their hands, and having started the calendar year so well, their form since Easter has been horrendous for a side chasing promotion.
Having 90 points at this stage is by no means a terrible season, but they are set to miss out on automatic promotion bar a similarly catastrophic collapse from Ipswich. Looking back at some of their recent results, they will only have themselves to blame.
Date
Competition
Opposition
Result
26th April
Championship
QPR
L 0-4
22nd April
Championship
Middlesbrough
W 4-3
13th April
Championship
Blackburn
L 0-1
9th April
Championship
Sunderland
D 0-0
6th April
Championship
Coventry
L 1-2
Leeds United's top scorers in 2023/24
Leeds have been blessed with plenty of goalscoring options in the current campaign, with seven players on five goals or above in all competitions.
1
Crysencio Summerville
45
20
10
2
Daniel James
43
13
8
3
Joel Piroe
45
12
3
=4
Patrick Bamford
36
9
2
=4
Wilfried Gnonto
40
9
2
6
Georginio Rutter
47
7
16
7
Pascal Struijk
25
5
0
