Leeds United could find themselves sitting precariously above the relegation zone by the time they next take to the field. The Whites have seen two matches postponed in the wake of the Queen’s passing, with games against Nottingham Forest and Manchester United needing to be rearranged for later in the season.
The home clash against Forest was postponed by the Premier League as a mark of respect as a period of national mourning began, while the trip to Old Trafford was cancelled on Monday night due to policing issues ahead of the state funeral, which will take place in the capital on September 19.
That means Leeds will have to wait until October 2 before playing again, with Jesse Marsch no doubt keen to make the most of a month on the training ground with his side. However, 15 Premier League games will be played before United take on Aston Villa at Elland Road, a contest that has been moved to a Sunday in order to be broadcast on Sky Sports.
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As such, with most teams currently in mid-table playing twice before the Whites take the field, inactivity will mean Marsch’s side will fall from their current position of ninth over the coming few weeks. The Whites will be watching the action closely, but in a worst case scenario, Leeds could find themselves dropping to 16 th in the Premier League table.
Of course, that scenario would require some major shocks, such as Wolves stunning Manchester City and Crystal Palace ruining Graham Potter’s first Premier League game as Chelsea boss. Fulham, Newcastle United, Southampton, Bournemouth and West Ham United would also leapfrog the Whites if that were to be the case.
That would have Leeds just two places above the relegation zone as they enter a crucial few weeks before the Premier League breaks up for the World Cup. The best Leeds could hope for is to drop one place to 10 th in the table.
Again, that would require a very specific set of results going their way and a host of teams below them failing to pick up maximum points from games. Leeds would need Southampton to drop points on Friday night, before hoping that none of those within touching distance below pick up a maximum haul over the next two matchdays.
Leeds will rightly be focused on their own fortunes, and three points against Villa will be enough to ensure any ground lost over the next few weeks would be minimal. However, Leeds could find themselves looking over their shoulder if results don’t go in their favour.
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