Leeds United fans will be bracing themselves for the latest set of twists and turns in the relegation battle this week, as a full slate of midweek Premier League fixtures awaits them.
Saturday's disappointing 2-1 defeat at Fulham further increased the Whites' relegation fears, with Javi Gracia's men just a point above the drop zone in 16th place in what continues to be one of the closest relegation scraps the league has seen in years.
While Leeds have their noses slightly ahead of the bottom three, a four-point gap to 15th place has opened up, thanks to West Ham's emphatic win over Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon.
READ MORE: Leeds United U21s ready to make history after setting up promotion showdown
Leeds fans' frayed nerves will have been slightly tempered by seeing three of the four sides below them drop points at the weekend, but they will not have wanted to see Leicester City pick up a much-needed win on Saturday, giving Dean Smith's side some momentum going into what is a huge clash at Elland Road on Tuesday evening.
Here is a look at the fixtures this coming up this week and how the relegation picture could look come Thursday night when the latest gameweek is wrapped up.
Tuesday night
There are two fixtures on Tuesday evening, and you don't us to tell you the importance of Leeds' Elland Road clash against Leicester City. The Foxes will start that match a point behind Leeds and know that a win would see them leapfrog their hosts and deliver another huge blow to Leeds' survival hopes, both in terms of points on the board and from a psychological point of view. If Leeds are able to dig their way out of their current slump and claim a win, that would also be huge.
The other fixture on Tuesday sees Wolves host Palace. It's fair to say the Eagles are all but safe, sitting 12th on 37 points, while Wolves trail them by just three points and know that a win would mark a huge stride towards safety.
Wednesday night
There are another two fixtures impacting the relegation fight on Wednesday evening, with Nottingham Forest's clash at home to Brighton being the one Leeds fans will pay particular attention to. Steve Cooper's men have been much better at home this season and will be hoping that the Seagulls' FA Cup semi-final exploits on Sunday, when they lost on penalties after 120 minutes on the big Wembley pitch will aid their cause.
West Ham - who start the week four points ahead of Leeds in 13th - host Liverpool and know that a win should give them a comfortable buffer over the bottom three.
Thursday night
Finally, two huge fixtures on Thursday evening. Basement dwellers Southampton host Bournemouth knowing that they are running out of games if they are to avoid becoming cut adrift at the bottom, as they currently sit three points 19th-placed Forest and four away from safety. The Cherries are also in the mix, starting the week one place and four points ahead of Leeds.
Everton's home clash against Newcastle is also huge. The Toffees are currently in the final relegation spot, a point behind Leeds amid stalling recent form and will no doubt have watched the Magpies' 6-1 dismantling of Spurs on Sunday with real trepidation.
Best and worst case scenarios
In terms of worst-case scenarios, a Leeds defeat on Tuesday would see Leicester move above them and open the door for both Everton and Forest to also leapfrog the Whites, should they both pull off unlikely victories. That would leave Leeds in 19th place, two points from safety and further sour the mood ahead of some challenging fixtures.
On the flipside, a win over Leicester and defeats for Everton and Forest could see Gracia's men move four points clear of the bottom three and inject some much-needed belief into the squad and fanbase for the final month of the campaign.
READ NEXT:
Javi Gracia's Wilfried Gnonto decision explained as Leeds United calls reach boiling point
Max Wober admits Leeds United were punished for 'mistakes' in Fulham defeat
Every word Javi Gracia said on Leeds United's defeat, Gnonto, Cooper, Meslier and changes
Javi Gracia 'worried about everything' in damning Leeds United confession after Fulham loss
Javi Gracia told dropping Illan Meslier would be 'positive' for Leeds United after Fulham loss
