Leeds United secured their Premier League safety on a dramatic final day of the season with a 2-1 win over Brentford. The Whites moved ahead of Burnley after they were defeated by Newcastle United to ensure a third season in a row of top-flight football.
In a season of struggle for Leeds, confirming their Premier League status defied both the odds and pundits predictions. Following Burnley’s 1-1 draw at Aston Villa on Thursday, survival was in the Clarets’ hands going into the final day, which meant almost everyone, and everything, had backed Leeds for a return to the Championship.
And so with survival now secured, here is a round-up of the various different factors Leeds were able to defy.
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Supercomputer verdict
Ahead of the final day of the season, and following Burnley’s draw at Aston Villa, FiveThirtyEight gave Leeds their bleakest survival forecast yet. The Whites had a 78% chance of relegation in comparison to Burnley’s 22%, which shows just how much they thought the Clarets were better placed than Leeds to stay up.
Huge odds-on favourites
Similarly to the supercomputer, Leeds’ odds were at their lowest of the season heading into the finale. Via Sky Bet, Marsch’s men were huge odds-on favourites to finish in the bottom three at 4/11, with Burnley priced at 2/1.
Pundits’ worries
Leeds were not short of doubters across the punditry scene – with Gary Neville and Glenn Hoddle just two of several backing the Whites to go down.
Neville said: “I think Leeds are going to go down, by the way. I think they are going to get caught. I might be wrong but I think they're in big trouble. I think they're in big trouble Leeds and I think financially, they will be under huge stress if they go down.
"Most teams are when they go down out of the Premier League because of that huge gap that exists between the money in the Premier League and in the Championship.
“But I think Leeds, I never thought this could happen to them, they have got a massive week, as have Burnley and Everton as well but I think they'll get out of it Everton and Burnley. I think Leeds are in huge trouble but we'll see what happens in the coming days."
Hoddle agreed: “I’m scared for Leeds. Brentford are playing so well, a lot of confidence, I just don’t see them winning.
"Everton have got to beat Palace at home. I think Burnley have got enough to get something out of those two games. If Leeds get the win, then you have to hold your hands up and say ‘wow’.”
Defying history
Leeds became the first Premier League side since Wigan Athletic in the 2010/11 season to remain in the Premier League going into the final day in the bottom three. They also avoided becoming just the fourth team in history to be relegated after spending less than 30 days in the drop zone.
Finally, the win in west London also got another monkey off the club's back, with the 2-1 victory over Brentford being their away first win over the Bees since August 1950, a wait of almost 72 years.
