Leeds United have returned to the top of the Championship table after a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough, and with five games left to play, they are in a strong position to secure a return to the Premier League. Daniel Farke’s words, which were met with skepticism earlier, now seem more convincing.
The win over Middlesbrough was crucial, and the results from other matches didn’t hurt either. Burnley drew at Derby, and Sheffield United lost to Millwall, giving Leeds some breathing room at the top of the table. Next up for Leeds is a home match against Preston North End, which kicks off at lunchtime on Saturday.
However, Farke’s record against Preston is a cause for concern. As Leeds manager, he has faced Preston three times, winning only once and losing once. In fact, Preston has been a difficult opponent for Farke throughout his career, with him winning only three out of 10 matches against the Lilywhites.
Injury news ahead of the Preston match is also a worry for Leeds. Joe Rothwell is expected to be fit for the final two games of the season, but it’s unlikely he’ll start immediately. Pascal Struijk will miss Saturday’s match due to a foot injury, and scans will determine whether he has fractured his foot or just bruised it. Dan James also picked up a hamstring injury during Tuesday’s match, and Farke said it “doesn’t look good.” Both Struijk and James are likely to miss the match against Preston.
