Leeds can officially rule themsleves out of the relegation battle this weekend - here is how
In the eyes of many, Leeds United are safe from relegation following the 3-1 win over Burnley last week.
The Whites sit on 43 points with three games remaining and have relegation rivals Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United play. Leeds will be hopeful of getting a result at home to Brighton & Hove Albion between these two games too.
But until Leeds have officially secured survival, Daniel Farke will not be celebrating, he says. The results over the weekend have left Leeds seven points clear of the drop zone with Spurs leaping out of the bottom three due to their win over Aston Villa and West Ham sinking into it after a 3-0 loss to Brentford.
There are bound to be more twists and turns in the final few weeks and Leeds can play their part in deciding who goes down amid their meetings with West Ham on the final day but first, Tottenham on Monday.
United can mathematically secure their place in next season’s Premier League this coming weekend, and they might not have to kick a ball. Here are the three ways Leeds can officially achieve their main season objective.
If West Ham lose
Simply, if West Ham fall to defeat against Arsenal, who have had a title boost after their convincing win over Fulham coupled with Manchester City drawing at Everton, then Leeds will have their safety rubber-stamped.
That is because West Ham currently sit seven points behind United with three games to go. Therefore, a defeat at home to the Gunners would mean they would need seven points from two games to catch Leeds - impossible. West Ham play Arsenal on Sunday evening.
If West Ham draw and Leeds get a result vs Spurs
Should West Ham manage to secure a draw against Arsenal then Leeds would need to secure a result at Tottenham to take them over the line. In this scenario, a draw would do given it would keep the gap to seven points with two games to go.
The Hammers being at home increases the chances of the Irons getting a point - but Arsenal will have new fire in them given this weekend’s results and possibly having booked their place in the Champions League final.
If Leeds beat Spurs
Regardless of how West Ham do, should Leeds beat Tottenham, they will be safe. A draw will still keep Spurs within that six-point range and if West Ham draw and Leeds lose, the relegation battle is technically still on.
However, a win for Leeds not only puts West Ham beyond reach but Spurs too - Tottenham would slip to nine points behind the Whites with two games to play. The cards are in Leeds’ favour - just match or better West Ham’s result and they are finally there.