Yorkshire Evening Post

Leeds United took themselves up to 40 points after snatching a late 2-2 draw at Bournemouth - leading to further changes in the team’s relegation odds in the bookies’ new predicted final Premier League table.

Daniel Farke’s Whites went into Wednesday night’s clash at the Vitality Stadium sat eight points clear of the drop zone and knowing that a positive result would put them further ahead of relegation rivals Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham and Nottingham Forest.

All three clubs play their next fixtures this weekend when Leeds will be in action in the FA Cup through Sunday afternoon’s Wembley semi-final against Chelsea.

United’s progress in the competition led to the Bournemouth game being brought forward to become a midweek fixture and it looked set to end in defeat for Leeds as the Cherries led 2-1 deep into second half stoppage time.

But Farke’s men gave themselves another big boost as Sean Longstaff came off the bench to thump home a 97th-minute equaliser which sealed a 2-2 draw and put Leeds up to 40 points.

Third-bottom Tottenham, fourth-bottom West Ham and fifth-bottom Forest all now have a game in hand but Leeds sit nine points clear of Spurs, seven ahead of West Ham and four clear of Forest.

Moreover, 40 points is usually more than enough for Premier League survival. It does, though, appear that an unusually high tally might be needed to guarantee survival so how do the bookies see it?

Wednesday night’s draw at Bournemouth led to changes in United’s relegation odds which are now huge and here is the bookies’ new predicted final table based on the very latest various prices.

Leeds United sit eight points clear of the Premier League relegation zone as they head for Wednesday night’s clash at AFC Bournemouth - ahead of which Opta have made a very strong Whites call in their new predicted final table and points.

Saturday’s 3-0 win at home to now already relegated Wolves ultimately left Leeds eight points clear of third-bottom Tottenham Hotspur who had to settle for a 2-2 draw at home to Brighton on Saturday evening as ex-Whites star Georginio Rutter netted a dramatic late equaliser.

Nottingham Forest then gave their survival hopes a huge boost the following day with a 4-1 win at home to Burnley which brought the fifth-bottom Reds back within three points of Farke’s 15th-placed Whites.

Fourth-bottom West Ham were last to play on Monday night, the Hammers picking up a point through a goalless draw at Crystal Palace which leaves them six points behind Leeds and three behind Forest but crucially two ahead of Tottenham.

The Whites can very much look up as well as down and Opta have made a very strong Whites call in their new predicted final table and points. As Leeds head for the south coast, here is the full new rundown in reverse order.

Leeds United’s win against Wolves has been followed by a mixed bag of results for key rivals - leading to changes in the club’s relegation odds in the bookies’ new predicted final Premier League table.

Daniel Farke’s Whites booted nine points clear of the relegation zone through Saturday’s 3-0 win against Wolves and third-bottom Tottenham Hotspur then conceded a late equaliser in the evening kick-off at home to Brighton which ended in a 2-2 draw.

The result was an doubted blow for Spurs who looked destined to finally record their first win of 2026, the draw leaving Leeds eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Fifth-bottom Nottingham Forest then gave their survival hopes a huge boost the following day as they recorded a 3-1 victory at home to Burnley thanks to a Morgan Gibbs-White hat-trick.

Victory left Forest just three points behind Leeds, opening a gap to both fourth-bottom West Ham and Tottenham.

West Ham were then last to play in Monday night’s clash at Crystal Palace in which a victory would have taken the Irons level just one point behind Forest and left Spurs four points adrift.

The Hammers, though, had to settle for a point after a goalless draw.

The result could definitely be seen as another boost for Leeds who ultimately pulled two points further clear of both Tottenham and West Ham through their victory against Wolves.

With just five games left, Leeds are eight points clear of third-bottom Spurs but also six clear of fourth-bottom West Ham and three ahead of fifth-bottom Forest.

Looking in the other direction, Farke’s side are only three points behind Newcastle United and four adrift of Palace.

All told, United’s survival prospects have been further boosted but how has it changed the team’s relegation odds in the bookies’ new predicted final table?

In a confusing verdict, BOTH Tottenham, West Ham and Leeds’ relegation odds have all shortened since the Whites beat Wolves and here is the full new rundown in reverse order.

The first relegation from the Premier League has been confirmed.

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Leeds United’s struggling rivals West Ham have given themselves another small boost in their quest for Premier League survival, a boost big enough to ensure the division’s first official relegation.

Leeds ended the weekend eight points clear of dropzone following Saturday’s 3-0 win at home to Wolves as third-bottom Tottenham Hotspur then conceded a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw at home to Brighton.

United’s win also pulled them seven points clear of fourth-bottom West Ham but with the Hammers having a game in hand which presented itself on Monday night with an away clash at Crystal Palace.

Looking for a victory that would take them four points clear of the dropzone, the Irons largely dominated with Jarrod Bowen again proving a key threat but Palace ended the game strongly as they pushed for a win.

In the end, the contest ended goalless, giving the Hammers the small boost of another point in their quest for survival and leaving Spurs two points adrift of safety.

The result also confirmed mathematical relegation for Wolves whose highest possible points tally is now 33 points, one less than fourth-bottom West Ham’s current total of 33.

A number of Leeds United players have stood out in recent weeks with Premier League survival now in sight.

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Former manager Tim Sherwood has suggested Tottenham Hotspur could have done with a ‘leader’ like Leeds United’s Ethan Ampadu this season.

Ampadu looks set to captain Leeds to safety following an excellent week in which they won back-to-back Premier League games for the first time this season. He starred in a historic 2-1 win at Manchester United last Monday before keeping things steady as the Whites beat rock-bottom Wolves over the weekend.

The Welshman has enjoyed an incredible campaign with the armband, playing more Premier League minutes than any teammate and regularly going toe-to-toe with midfielders worth at least 10 times his £7m price-tag. He is one of several Leeds players exceeding expectations while relegation rivals Tottenham continue to falter.

Spurs twice went ahead at home to Brighton on Saturday but twice conceded, Georginio Rutter netting a 95th-minute equaliser to make it 15 league games without a win for Roberto De Zerbi’s side. And former Spurs boss Sherwood believes a few characters like Ampadu would have gone a long way in North London if signed last summer.

”Looking through the group of players [at Leeds], at the beginning of the season, would Tottenham have taken many of them?” Sherwood asked on Sky Sports. “I would have said no.

“In hindsight now, when you look at it, you look at someone like Ethan Ampadu. He’s not only a good player - he’s a very, very good player - but he’s also a leader. He’s someone who wants to stand up.

‘Dragging them to safety’

“He’s not old but he’s got a lot of experience and he drives his teammates forward and that is what you need in this situation. You need someone who is willing to stand up and pull others in the correct direction with you.

“That’s what Ethan Ampadu has done. He’s not alone but he is dragging them to safety in this league.”

Ampadu looks set for another year as a Premier League captain with Leeds so close to survival. Saturday’s comfortable win over Wolves took them onto 39 points for the season, eight clear of Tottenham with five games to play.

Leeds travel to in-form Bournemouth on Wednesday evening looking to extend that lead to nine or even 11 points. Confidence will be high after an incredible performance last time they travelled away from Elland Road and a commanding weekend win over Wolves.

Ampadu will then lead his side out for an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley against former club Chelsea on Sunday. It’s been 39 years since Brendan Ormsby did the same against Coventry City at Hillsborough in 1987 as Daniel Farke’s side aim to make more history.

The former Leeds United man might have just made a huge impact on the Premier League relegation battle.

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Leeds United’s Premier League survival chances were given a fresh boost on Saturday following their 3-0 win over Wolves and two late dropped points for Tottenham Hotspur.

Goals from James Justin, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin sent Leeds nine points clear of the drop zone on Saturday, with Tottenham hosting Brighton later that same day. The North London club are yet to win a league game this calendar year with chances to end that dismal streak running out.

For a large portion of their game against Brighton, Tottenham did look like claiming a monumental three points with Xavi Simons the star. His first-half cross found Pedro Porro to make it 1-0 and after Kaoru Mitoma equalised, the Dutchman scored what looked to be the winner on 77 minutes.

But there was a fresh twist in the tail, and one that came from a former Leeds fan-favourite. In the fifth-minute of seven added on, defender Kevin Danso was tackled in his own box, with Jan Paul van Hecke finding Georginio Rutter to fire home and break Tottenham hearts at the death.

Defeat for Tottenham leaves them still in the bottom three, with closest rivals West Ham looking to extend their one-point cushion when they travel to Crystal Palace this evening. Leeds are now eight points clear of the bottom three with just five games to play.

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Following that massive late goal, both for Brighton’s European hopes and the relegation battle, Rutter posted on Instagram and received messages from former Elland Road colleagues. Leeds legend Stuart Dallas wrote ‘absolutely marvellous’, while Willy Gnonto commented ‘Merci’.

Leeds could extend their cushion even further on Wednesday, albeit they face a tricky tip to in-form Bournemouth. That game has been brought forward due to the Whites’ FA Cup semi-final commitments, with Tottenham next in action at Wolves on Saturday.

Roberto De Zerbi reaction to Tottenham draw

Spurs also host Leeds at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next month, although time is running out particularly with the likes of West Ham and Nottingham Forest also picking up points. But Roberto De Zerbi remained very confident following the late dropped points.

“I always thought and believed in the quality of the players,” he said. “They played a good game, I think we can play better than today with much more quality and more calm, especially when we are in possession, but in this moment we need this spirit, this attitude and this mentality.

“It is not finished yet. We have another five games. It is tough. Every one of us knows it is a tough moment, a difficult situation, but we have another five games and 15 points. This team is able to win five games in a row.

“Now, it is difficult to hear my words, but if you watch the players and analyse the level of the players, I think we can win five games in a row. Not to be arrogant, because I am not arrogant, especially now, but we have the qualities enough to fight and win games in a row."

Leeds United have a big summer ahead of them and will hope to be strengthening for another year of Premier League football. Recruitment will be key to building on an impressive debut campaign but as highlighted by recent reports of Tottenham Hotspur interest in Karl Darlow, securing the future of current players is just as important.

Darlow is one of four senior players currently set to leave Leeds following the expiry of his contract this summer, three of which are goalkeepers. None of Illan Meslier, Sam Byram or Alex Cairns have played regularly - if at all - this season though, and a few could wave goodbye to Elland Road in June.

But Leeds chiefs should also have a keen eye on the other six set to enter the final year of their respective contracts this summer, a vulnerable position for the club particularly given the importance of some with summer 2027 expiries. Below, the YEP takes a look at when each and every squad member’s deal runs out, as per Transfermarkt.

Leeds United have put themselves on to 39 points with five games still left - and data experts Opta have now cast a fresh Whites verdict in their predicted final Premier League table and points.

Leeds began the weekend sitting on 36 points, six clear of third-bottom Tottenham Hotspur after Monday night’s brilliant 2-1 win at Manchester United and Saturday’s hosting of Wolves presented the chance to boot even further clear.

Leeds took the opportunity with both hands, two first-half goals inside three minutes from James Justin and Noah Okafor laying the foundations for a 3-0 victory in which Dominic Calvert-Lewin also netted a 95th-minute penalty.

The win took Leeds nine points clear of Tottenham who then hosted Brighton in a 5.30pm kick-off and Spurs finally looked set to record a first league win of 2026 as they led 2-1 heading into the closing stages. But amazingly ex-Whites star Georginio Rutter came off the bench to bag a late equaliser which sealed a 2-2 draw and broke Tottenham’s hearts.

It’s all left 15th-placed Leeds eight points clear of third-bottom Tottenham with just five games left, the Whites also seven points ahead of fourth-bottom West Ham and six ahead of fifth-bottom Nottingham Forest although West Ham and Forest both have a game in hand.

Forest host Burnley on Sunday in a 2pm kick-off whilst West Ham go to Crystal Palace on Monday night.

Looking up the table, Leeds are now just three points behind a sliding Newcastle United said who suffered another defeat through a 2-1 loss at home to Bournemouth, the Whites also three points behind Palace but with Palace having a game in hand.

Amid debate about how many points will be needed to survive, data experts Opta have now produced their new predicted final table and points featuring a strong fresh Leeds verdict and big Chelsea drop shocker.

Here is the new rundown in reverse order.

Leeds United now sit eight points clear of the dropzone following Saturday’s 3-0 victory against Wolves, leading to a huge change in the club’s relegation odds in the bookies’ new predicted final Premier League table.

Daniel Farke’s Whites began the weekend six points clear of third-bottom Tottenham Hotspur after Monday night’s brilliant 2-1 win at Manchester United and Saturday’s hosting of Wolves presented the chance to boot even further clear.

Leeds took the opportunity with both hands, two first-half goals inside three minutes from James Justin and Noah Okafor laying the foundations for a 3-0 victory in which Dominic Calvert-Lewin also netted a 95th-minute penalty.

The win took Leeds nine points clear of Tottenham who then hosted Brighton in a 5.30pm kick-off and Spurs finally looked set to record a first league win of 2026 as they led 2-1 heading into the closing stages.

But amazingly ex-Whites star Georginio Rutter came off the bench to bag a late equaliser which sealed a 2-2 draw and broke Tottenham’s hearts.

It’s all left 15th-placed Leeds eight points clear of third-bottom Tottenham with just five games left, the Whites also seven points ahead of fourth-bottom West Ham and six ahead of fifth-bottom Nottingham Forest although West Ham and Forest both have a game in hand.

Forest host Burnley on Sunday in a 2pm kick-off whilst West Ham go to Crystal Palace on Monday night.

Looking up the table, Leeds are now just three points behind a sliding Newcastle United said who suffered another defeat through a 2-1 loss at home to Bournemouth, the Whites also three points behind Palace but with Palace having a game in hand.

It all means United’s survival prospects have been massively boosted and it’s led to an enormous change in the club’s relegation odds in the bookies’ new predicted final table.

Here, in reverse order, is the full new rundown.

A look at how and when Leeds United could secure their Premier League status following Saturday's win over Wolves.

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Leeds United edged closer to retaining their Premier League status for another year thanks to Saturday’s 3-0 win at home to Wolves. A quickfire first-half double from James Justin and Noah Okafor put the Whites in control with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting a third from the penalty spot in second-half added-time.

Victory pulled Leeds onto 39 points, nine clear of 18th-placed Tottenham Hotspur initially, who then drew 2-2 with Brighton to close it to eight. Daniel Farke’s side are also currently seven points ahead of West Ham and six clear of Nottingham Forest, who have games in hand to come this weekend against Crystal Palace and Burnley respectively.

“A lot is achieved but nothing is done yet,” Farke insisted after full-time on Saturday. “It's a fantastic position to be in but the feeling is we probably need to win one or a few more points, we'll stay focused and want to win one or a few more points as soon as possible to have it mathematically done.”

Following up Monday’s historic win at Manchester United with another victory has hugely improved Leeds’ chances of survival. Below, the YEP takes a look at what they need to guarantee safety - and what they’ll likely require.

How many points do Leeds United need to survive?

With 39 points already to their name, Leeds are in a great position to avoid relegation. As things stand, they are currently eight points ahead of Tottenham in 18th. Spurs twice went ahead at home to Brighton later on Saturday but dropped two points thanks to a 95th-minute leveller from a certain Georginio Rutter.

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In the unlikely event Tottenham win all five of their remaining games, they will finish on 46 points which means Leeds can guarantee survival with eight more points - That could be done with two wins and two draws. That would also require both West Ham and Forest to enjoy exceptional ends to the season too, though.

Realistically, Opta predict Spurs to finish the season on 37 points, with West Ham due to end on 38. Should those predictions prove accurate, then Leeds would theoretically already be safe.

Predicted Premier League table

Following Saturday’s comfortable win, statistical experts Opta updated their Premier League predictions. It’s good reading for Leeds too, whose percentage chance of finishing in the bottom three now stands at just 0.27 per cent.

Opta expect Leeds to pick up a further seven points from their final five games, finishing the season in 15th on 46. They still have Tottenham to join Burnley and Wolves in dropping to the Championship on 37 points, with a 53.4 per cent chance of being 18th come the end of May.

Here is the full predicted bottom six, as things stand...