Leeds United’s hopes of Premier League survival are hanging in the balance with the club sat two points outside the relegation zone. Compounded by a -34-goal difference and the fact 18 th -placed Everton have a game-in-hand, it is all pretty bleak at Elland Road.
The Whites have four games to ensure that they are playing at the top table again next season, putting a truly forgettable campaign behind them. But games against Arsenal and Chelsea in the next two matches before the visit of Brighton and a trip to Brentford on the final day all prove tough tasks.
There are plenty of factors that would boost Leeds’ hopes, some in their own hands and many completely out of their own hands. We have taken a look at what is now required for Jesse Marsch to keep his side in the Premier League.
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Looking after themselves
In a perfect world, you would say that, for Leeds to avoid relegation, they must win all of their remaining games in the knowledge that Everton or Burnley are almost guaranteed to drop points somewhere. However, it just isn’t that simple with tough games still to come.
At the same time, the Whites do need results desperately, especially if they are unable to get anything from Arsenal and Chelsea in the next few days. The games against Brighton and Brentford are more than likely going to have to yield points on the way to securing survival, which brings us onto our next point…
Key players need to rediscover best form
For too long this season, the best players at Leeds haven’t been at their best. Raphinha was brilliant before Christmas but has largely been ineffective since, while the rest of his attacking team mates have been extremely inconsistent.
At the other end of the pitch, the defence – which has chopped and changed almost on a weekly basis – simply hasn’t been good enough, conceding more than any other defence in the division. A return to form for the majority of the the regular starters would undoubtedly see Leeds over the line as, when they’re on song, they can do battle with the best sides in the league.
The return of senior players
Marsch has been able to welcome Kalvin Phillips back into the team in the last few games but he is yet to properly find his rhythm after a long lay-off. At a similar time, Liam Cooper returned to the side but he was replaced in the warm up before the Man City game and his availability remains unclear.
The captain’s fitness is imperative for the run in as the increased defensive stability was clear to see in three games he played. In the opposing penalty area, Marsch will be desperate to have Patrick Bamford back in time to contribute to his side’s survival chances.
The absence of a suitable, senior back up for the 28-year-old has been detrimental for Leeds this term but it would be a huge boost if he was fully fit, even if only for the visit to Brentford on the final day.
Put the Manchester City defeat (and the injury to Dallas) to the back of their minds
There were real shades of a Marcelo Bielsa performance in the defeat to Manchester City at the weekend, albeit not quite as severe. Leeds were aggressive and dominant at certain stages but were taken apart by a superior attacking outfit after failing to take opportunities of their own.
The broken leg suffered by Stuart Dallas made the 4-0 loss even more frustrating and upsetting, but it is vital that they are able to move on from that at the Emirates this weekend. As Marsch alluded to after the game, there were a number of positives his players could take from the game against arguably the best team in world football.
Using those positive aspects in North London on Sunday will give them every chance of a result but they must shore up the defence to make that a possibility.
Hope that other Premier League teams can help out
All relegation battles rely on getting favours from other clubs against rivals towards the bottom. In recent weeks, Leeds haven’t been able to rely on other top-flight clubs to help them out as Burnley and Everton have both built heads of steam.
With survival technically out of the hands of Marsch’s side, one of the aforementioned clubs will have to drop points somewhere if the Whites are to have any chance of staying up. That could do with beginning this weekend as Burnley host Aston Villa while Everton travel to face Leicester in the East Midlands.
Paying back the fans for their unwavering support
Finally, Leeds must give the supporters what they deserve, which is success. The supporters inside Elland Road, and in the away ends across the country, have undoubtedly been the best in the Premier League this season.
With Man City 4-0 up in the latter stages of Saturday’s game, hardly anyone had left the stadium and they were making noise that you’d usually associate with a set of fans who were watching their team win. It has been like that all season at Elland Road and it is now time for the players and staff to give everything they’ve got to pay back those fans.
They will, of course, continue to be follow Leeds up and down the UK if relegation awaits at the end of the season but their voices should be heard in the Premier League. Leeds have one of the nation’s great sporting theatres and one of its best audiences so the best quality football that is on offer must be provided on a weekly basis.
