It’s another tricky Friday night fixture, the second in eight days for Leeds United, who will be hoping for a different outcome this time around.
The Whites’ trip to Sheffield Wednesday gives the Huddersfield Town vibes and inspires similar anxieties.
Last Friday Daniel Farke’s side saw their promotion momentum halted by the tenacious Terriers at the John Smith’s Stadium
No doubt the frustrating 1-1 draw will be at the back of the players and fans’ minds ahead of the trip to Hillsborough Stadium.
Contrasting fortunes
It’s a battle between two sides whose causes could not be more different – fighting battles at opposite ends of the table.
Leeds United are chasing an instant return to the Premier League while Sheffield Wednesday are fighting to avoid an instant return to the third tier.
There is no doubt this clash is a potential banana skin for Leeds United, who returned to winning ways at Stoke City’s expense in midweek.
Sheffield Wednesday may be second from the bottom, but they are currently on a good run of form as they plot their escape from the relegation zone.
The Owls come into the clash on the back of four straight wins and knowing that they will move out of the relegation zone, at least for 24 hours, if they avoid defeat. That in itself is a huge psychological incentive.
For Leeds United, this is an opportunity to land an early blow and steal a march on promotion rivals.
A win will catapult the Whites above Ipswich into second and move them within two points of leaders Leicester City, while putting a nine-point buffer between themselves and Southampton.
Rivals watch
It’s Ipswich Town who will be giving Leeds United some sleepless nights. Kieran McKenna’s men are emerging as the biggest threat to Leeds United’s automatic promotion ambitions.
Like a stubborn rash the Championship newbies simply refuse to go away. In fact, the Tractor Boys are growing in confidence with every fixture.
Ipswich travel to Cardiff City on Saturday in buoyant mood, eyeing a seventh straight win. However, the Bluebirds, who have taken 10 points from the last 12 on offer will be no pushovers as they look for a fourth successive win to keep their play-off hopes alive.
Leaders Leicester City, who snapped a three-match losing streak with a nervy 1-0 win at Sunderland, face a stern test of their promotion credentials against a Hull City side holding on precariously to the final play-off spot.
Meanwhile, Southampton have some catching up to do after their midweek match against Preston North End was postponed.
The Saints could potentially be nine points adrift of Leeds United albeit with two games in hand by the time they host a Sunderland side in a freefall. The Black Cats have lost their last five matches.
It promises to be another pivotal weekend in the promotion, play-offs and relegation battles.
