Leeds looking to overcome Easter weekend hurdle

National World - LocalTV

Daniel Wales and Lee Sobot discuss Leeds United’s next fixtures,

Transcript

00:00Ahead of a busy Easter weekend, we've previewed Leeds United's two fixtures.

00:07Well then, let's look ahead to the Easter weekend and what is to come for Leeds United.

00:12So you've got, of course, two games, Good Friday and Easter Monday, Leeds will be in action.

00:17So, Oxford away and Stoke at home, they're two games that I look at that and I think, well,

00:23they're not too bad of fixtures when you look at it in comparison to, say, as you mentioned before,

00:27Burnley playing Jekyll United in their running. You'd much rather take Leeds' games just on the outset.

00:35But they are, obviously, every game like that is a potential bit on a skin, but given the fact that

00:39Leeds got over the line against Preston, which is a similar sort of game as well, you'd have to back them.

00:45Yeah, I know, 100%. You know, you summarise it pretty well. You don't take any grain for granted

00:50in the Championship whatsoever, but if you're looking at two fixtures, I mean, that's not too bad

00:55and that's, you know, not belittling either two sides. I mean, obviously, both got very, very good managers.

00:59Gary Rowett going in at Oxford, you know, he's a very good manager at this level.

01:02It's no surprise that they've started to do pretty well and I think they've won three out of the last five.

01:05So, I mean, that's pretty decent for a team down the bottom end of the table.

01:08Look like they're going to be OK. I think six points clear of the drop zone and obviously they do have home advantage.

01:13But, you know, this is Leeds that are going for the Premier League in the top of the division.

01:16So, I mean, they've got to go there and fancy themselves and, you know, the one to four favourites just about,

01:21which is very, very strong favourites, but I can see why.

01:24And Stoke's a similar sort of idea and even more so, really, because obviously Leeds are at home in that one.

01:28And again, it's the same sort of idea. Mark Robbins, you know, a very good manager going in there as well at Stoke.

01:34And, you know, again, aside, I think they're unbeaten in the last three or four games, I think it is.

01:39So, they're not playing teams that were sort of like, you know, super, super struggling,

01:42but you would hope Leeds would have too much for them. And look, they've put themselves in an absolutely amazing position now,

01:49obviously, with this five-point buffer. And, you know, they've just got to kick on now and get it done, basically.

01:53And the facts of the matter are that we won't get too ahead of ourselves, but Leeds could well seal promotion on Easter Monday.

02:00I mean, which would be absolutely amazing to not have to go into those final two games or, you know, even, you know,

02:06the last game, you know, God forbid, going into that with the nerves needed.

02:10That would be the case there. But it's a huge, huge weekend.

02:14I can't think of many bigger weekends in recent times for Leeds United than this,

02:18purely because, as you say, you've got games on the Friday and the Monday.

02:21And Friday, in particular, is going to be a marathon of a day because all three teams play at different times.

02:26You've got Watford v Burnley at three. That's fairly tricky for Burnley.

02:30I mean, I could see them going there and winning, but equally, Watford have been all right at home.

02:33And it's not, you know, you could definitely see that being a draw, potentially.

02:36Sheffield United are at home to Cardiff, and they obviously will be massive favourites.

02:40But Cardiff are scrapping away against relegation.

02:42Obviously, Blades have lost the last three, so there's question marks there.

02:45And then Leeds go to Oxford. So the dynamic, it might well be that both teams have won

02:49by the time Leeds kick off at Oxford, but it might well be they get a bonus from one of those two

02:54or both from dropping points. So, look, at this stage, all they can do is focus on Oxford away.

02:58And, yeah, I mean, you know, there's been question marks about Leeds' away form, etc.,

03:02at times this season. But, you know, on paper, the squad they've got, the form they're in,

03:06they should go there and win, and I would expect them to do so.

03:09But, I mean, equally, you wouldn't be massively surprised if they did slip up.

03:12But I hope they don't. And if they do, then obviously you then go on to Stoke on the Easter Monday.

03:17And, yeah, it's a different dynamic, obviously, there with Leeds playing Stoke at 3pm.

03:21So it's their turn to, like, put the pressure on, if you like.

03:23And, as I say, if they get six points from those two games, then the Burnley v Sheffield United game

03:29could seal them or would seal them promotion if Sheffield United didn't get victory there.

03:34So, absolutely massive, massive week. It's amazing how quickly it can turn.

03:37I mean, we were just talking a couple of weeks ago about this, saying, oh, you know,

03:40like it was kind of like thinking it's going to be playoffs, and all of a sudden here we are.

03:44We're literally two match days away from potentially going up.

03:47But, you know, you can't really emphasise enough how big that Oxford game is.

03:51Because if Leeds go there, and even if Leeds go there and draw, I mean, you know,

03:54it wouldn't be the end of the world, because obviously with the five-point buffer they've got.

03:58But if they go there and win, then it's, you know, they really are on the brink of automatic promotion.

04:02And really, there shouldn't be any excuses. Yeah, it's a bit of a trip to Oxford,

04:06but it's not a lunchtime kick-off, it's a night game.

04:08And, you know, it's all in their hands now and more, and some, you know, with the points they've got.

04:14So, yeah, huge, huge weekend. But you're right, in terms of two fixtures,

04:18there's no reason why they shouldn't be able to get six points.

04:20And I think if they get six points, I think they'll be up.

04:23So, yeah, fingers crossed they can do it.

04:26I would agree, yes, certainly.

04:28It's been a rollercoaster, and that's just been the last three weeks.

04:32Never mind the full season.

04:35But, yeah, it has.

04:36But as I say, we are on the brink now, and certainly will be,

04:40if Leeds are able to get some good results in the next two games over the Easter weekend.

04:44So, yeah, we're on the brink now, and we're on the brink now.

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