Here are your Leeds United evening headlines on Tuesday April 26.
Poveda's message after return from injury
Ian Poveda returned from an almost season-ending injury last night on loan for Blackburn Rovers and there was a jubilant reaction on social media.
The 22-year-old midfielder is currently on loan from Leeds United to Blackburn Rovers, but has not played a game since going off injured in November last year. It was during a match against Bristol City that he damaged his ankle and it had looked like his season was over.
READ MORE: Do the points paper over cracks for Leeds United?
However, ahead of Blackburn's match against Preston North End last night, Rovers' boss Tony Mowbray said : "Poveda looks fit to me, he looks electric on the training ground."
Blackburn won the match 4-1 away, keeping them in contention for the play-offs. For Leeds fans however the good news came in the form of Poveda returning to the pitch as a substitute after 79 minutes.
After the game, Poveda posted photographs on Instagram of his return to the pitch, along with a comment: "They said my season was done. That wasn't God's plan."
Leeds teammate Raphinha responded: "RECEEEEEEBA."
Kalvin Phillips wrote: "There he is."
Tyler Roberts added: "The unseen grind."
Poveda will return from his loan spell at the end of the season.
Patrick Vieira's encouraging words for Illan Meslier
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Viera spoke some words of encouragement for fellow Frenchman Illan Meslier after last night's 0-0 draw.
Patrick Vieira was asked about the Leeds goalkeeper's performance after the game. He told the press : "I think he’s still a young player, a French under-21 with a lot of potential.
"He’s playing in a team in the Premier League that will allow him to grow as a player and now it is up to him to what he will do every day to reach his potential."
Vieira also spoke about Leeds' physicality: "This is the way they play. When you look at their front four they play with intensity and try to close down.
"I was really happy today because we moved the ball quick enough to create those kinds of overloads on the sides and we had a couple of good crosses. Our tempo of passing was good today."
Leeds United, Everton and Burnley relegation run-ins compared
Last night's point means that Jesse Marsch's side now sit five points clear of the drop zone, but with a challenging fixture list coming up.
It has been all change in the battle to beat the drop this month, with Burnley having picked up seven points from their last three matches to move up to 17th. Everton are now the side who find themselves in the bottom three as the Toffees continue to struggle away from Goodison Park.
With it now looking as tight as ever at the bottom, here is some analysis on each of Leeds, Burnley and Everton’s remaining fixtures, including the average position of their remaining opponents.
Predictor update still forecasts safety for Leeds
The data experts at FiveThirtyEight have updated their probabilities of relegation following the latest fixtures and despite their tough final run of fixtures Leeds are still predicted to be safe.
The website uses calculations based on past statistics, such as goals scored and conceded, and currently it gives the Whites an 18% probability of being relegated back to the Championship.
Everton have been given a 54% probability of relegation, despite playing similar opponents to Leeds in their final run-in and having a game in hand. Burnley are predicted to scrape to safety by a point.
