Leeds United will be hopeful they do not carry their end of season from into the play-offs as they prepare to travel to Norwich City this weekend.
The Whites regular Championship campaign ended with a whimper, losing on the final day to fellow promotion rivals Southampton at Elland Road. And that form has some cause for concern heading into the knockout stages of the season.
Daniel Farke ‘s side effectively handed Leicester City the title following their shock defeat away to Queens Park Rangers in their final fixture on the road. However, the sheer drop-off in form was alarming in the penultimate month of the term.
During April, Leeds managed just seven points from a possible 21 available. It was a run that included defeats to Blackburn Rovers and Coventry City, with their only triumphs coming at the expense of Hull City and Middlesbrough.
It was a stark contrast to the side United supporters had been accustomed to for much of the Championship season. Prior to their 3-1 victory over the Tigers, Farke had masterminded a 15-game unbeaten run which included nine consecutive league wins.
And when looking at the form table from their last six games, it makes for grim reading for those in all white. Leeds managed just four points while also having a goal difference of minus 6, with their points tally putting them second bottom in the standings, with only Preston North End and Coventry worse off.
When compared to the other three sides competing in the play-offs this weekend, it shows each are entering with the slight advantage of momentum for their respective ties. Leeds’ opponents on Sunday had managed five more points in the same time frame, losing once as they claimed the final top six berth.
Russell Martin’s side joined the Canaries on that total with their victory at Elland Road on the final day. While West Brom signed off the regular season with a comfortable victory over Preston in front of their home supporters.
Having been in contention for an automatic promotion spot for much of the campaign, the disappointment of missing out cannot linger for Farke’s side. In recent years, it is very rare to see the side who finish third get themselves into the Premier League through the play-offs.
Leeds have shown throughout the term they have the ability to buck not only that trend, but their own play-off history. The Whites enter their sixth campaign in the knockout phase, having previously failed in their last five attempts at this stage, the latest of which coming at the hands of Derby County in 2019.
