The race for promotion out of the Championship is nearing its end, with Leeds United looking for an instant return to the Premier League.
However, they are faced with the threats of Leicester City and Ipswich Town. Southampton can still mathematically qualify but their chances of a top-flight return are extremely slim.
Leeds are just two games away from a potential return to the Premier League. Since suffering relegation to the Championship, The Whites have picked up some momentum towards promotion and a top-two finish.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke has plenty of experience in getting out of the division in the past, looking to replicate that with a young and hungry squad at Elland Road.
So far though, with only clashes against QPR and Southampton remaining for the Yorkshire outfit, their promotion fate is out of their hands.
There is a reliance on points taken from rivals Leicester City and Ipswich Town in the final few games while keeping up the good form of their own.
So with that said, here’s a look at the permutations for promotion to the Premier League through the top two Championship places.
Leeds United’s Championship promotion picture
So as the Championship table currently stands, Leicester lead the way, followed by Leeds and then Ipswich.
Southampton pushed themselves back into the mix but seem to face an incredibly slim chance of making the automatic promotion places.
The important thing to note about the current table is that games in hand and fixture scheduling will play a key role.
While The Whites currently occupy second, they have played one game more than Ipswich at this stage, which will be two more once they face QPR on Friday night.
It means that promotion is currently in the hands of the Tractor Boys. Though if Leeds can continue to rack up the wins, it will put pressure on Kieran McKenna’s side to be perfect in their final three fixtures.
What Leeds United need for Championship promotion
The promotion picture for Leeds relies on teams around them dropping points in their final few games of the season.
Leicester promotion chances
The current gap to league leaders Leicester is at four points, meaning just one more win for Enzo Maresca is enough for his side to earn an instant return to the top flight.
A four-point lead would have to be dropped by the Foxes in two games, with clashes against Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers to see out their campaign.
It remains unlikely that Leeds will be able to finish above Leicester, but anything could happen in those final two games, with two wins potentially mounting the pressure on them.
Ipswich promotion hopes
The focus then turns to Ipswich and the possibility of staying above them in the race for automatic promotion.
The Tractor Boys will have games in hand heading into the weekend, but Farke could have the advantage of points on the board.
McKenna’s team need to match the record of Leeds to earn promotion to the Premier League, following their rise from League One.
Should Leeds end their season with a perfect run against QPR and Southampton, it means that Ipswich cannot afford to drop any points in their final run-in against Hull City, Coventry City and Huddersfield Town – unless they can overturn an 11-goal swing in the process, which would allow for two wins and a draw for promotion.
Southampton chances
As for Southampton, their hopes are near zero, as they rely on both Ipswich and Leeds losing all of their remaining fixtures and a goal difference swing of 20 goals in their favour.
So it means that, for Leeds, the goal is simple in that they are hoping for some help elsewhere to deny Ipswich while continuing to pile on the pressure with points on the board.