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Tom Coates

Leeds United's two key games in relegation run-in identified as Jesse Marsch's men look to pull clear

Although recent wins over Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers have helped to ease some fears over relegation, Leeds United are not out of the woods yet.

Jesse Marsch's side will not be able to breathe a sigh of relief until a return to the Championship ahead of next season is mathematically impossible and the run-in was discussed on the latest episode of The Blue White and Yellow, our Leeds United podcast.

Host Conor McGilligan was joined by our Leeds United club writer Beren Cross, who gave his thoughts on what has the potential to be a tense end to the campaign for Marsch's men as they attempt to steer clear of the relegation zone.

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He said: "Watford was always looking like that big game, even before the Norwich and the Wolves wins. We were obviously looking at the fixture list and trying to pick out where Leeds could get their wins and of course, Watford away, as the table would show, is clearly a game Leeds need to go and win and [Watford] are very beatable opposition.

"So, that's absolutely massive, if they can go into that off beating Southampton, as I've said already, if they win the next two, then by the time we go into that fortnight break before [Crystal] Palace, I'd be happy to tell people Leeds are safe. I think six more points and they are staying up.

"It's huge, that little brace of games they've got before the next break, they could go into that next break being safe and imagine the relief that will go round the training ground and the club knowing they can go into those final six matches with a bit of freedom and a bit of reassurance that they can play with that freedom and that confidence."

Considering it was initially scheduled in between clashes with Chelsea and Manchester City, a trip to Crystal Palace will not have been considered too daunting by many supporters when the fixture list was released.

However, Patrick Vieira has breathed new life into the Eagles and they have become a force to be reckoned with, particularly when playing at home. They have not tasted defeat for over a month and will most likely provide a stern test when Leeds visit on 23 April.

Cross said: "They [upcoming fixtures] are massive, and Palace away, that will not be easy at all. It is on paper, on the easier end of the scale, when you compare it to City at home, Arsenal away and Chelsea at home.

"But let's say they come out of the next three still needing a win, let's say they beat Watford and maybe get draws in the other two, then maybe you're looking at they need one draw and you've got Brighton and Brentford in the final two games.

"I know that's going to be no good for our heart rate needing stuff in the final two weeks of the season because by that point, in theory, other clubs might have tightened up a little bit but those two do stand out for me. They could be on the beach by then."

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