Leeds United's 3-0 loss to Aston Villa on Thursday night has piled the pressure on this weekend as the Whites now face Norwich City on Sunday on the back of a six game losing streak.
Jesse Marsch and his team know that - whilst they still have ten games remaining in the season - they will be running out of time to get the points they need, should they fail to beat the Canaries at Elland Road. The situation is made more difficult when considering the fact that Leeds have played more games than both Burnley and Everton and they could find themselves in the relegation zone if those teams win their games in hand.
Should the Whites pick up the three points against Norwich, they will be hopeful of kick-starting a run of form under their new manager and that one good run could be enough to see them to safety.
Elsewhere in the division, there are several other fixtures that will be of interest to Leeds and the fanbase as Brentford host Burnley on Saturday afternoon. A few weeks ago, a draw might have seemed the best result as Leeds would have hoped to catch Brentford who are only one place above them. However, the Bees beat Norwich last weekend and Leeds now need to focus on the teams below them and not above. That being the case, a win for Brentford could help Leeds lengthen the gap over Burnley if they can pick up a win against Norwich the next day.
Meanwhile, Everton kick off against Wolves at the same time as the crucial Leeds v Norwich fixture on Sunday. Wolves ended a run of three straight losses by beating Watford 4-0 on Thursday evening and Leeds will hope that the Midlands club can win consecutive fixtures in order to keep Everton behind them in the Premier League table. Should Everton win and Leeds fail to take the three points against Norwich, the Toffees will leapfrog Marsch's team.
In another game which concerns Leeds, Watford travel to Southampton on Sunday. The Saints are in poor form, having lost their last two and Leeds will hope they return to winning ways against the 19th placed team.
In the worst case scenario that Leeds lose to Norwich this weekend, they are vulnerable to the teams below them. Not only could they be overtaken by Everton and/or Burnley but Watford could move to within two points and Norwich would be only three points behind, despite currently sitting bottom of the Premier League.
