The battle for Premier League survival for Leeds United will go down to the final day of what has been quite an absorbing campaign.
Two from Everton, Leeds United and Leicester City will join Southampton through the top-flight exit door after Nottingham Forest secured safety on Saturday.
Forest avoided the ignominy of an instant return from to the Championship with a gallant 1-0 home win over Arsenal to end the Gunners’ title challenge.
Credit to Steve Cooper’s men for pulling themselves up by their own bootstraps and snatching safety from the jaws of relegation. Not long ago they looked like dead certainties for the drop.
Meanwhile, the point Everton earned on the back of a dramatic 99th-minute equalizer at Wolves could prove decisive on the final day if both Leeds United and Leicester fail to win their penultimate matches on Sunday and Monday respectively.
Controlling our own destiny
There is no better position to be in going into the final round of matches than to be in control of one’s own destiny.
The last thing relegation candidates want on D-day is to pin their survival hopes on results elsewhere going their way.
Unfortunately, only one team will enjoy the crucial advantage of having their fate in their own hands on the final day – the team sitting in the final safe spot. Everton currently occupy that pole position pending outcomes of Leeds United and Leicester City’s ties against West Ham and Newcastle United respectively.
Leeds United Survival requirements
If my beloved Leeds United win their two remaining matches then they will preserve their Premier League status. That is the scenario after relegation rivals posted some mixed results on Saturday.
We have our destiny in our own hands and that is as good as it gets this late in our bid to stave off relegation. Leeds United have an advantage over Everton and Leicester on paper in terms of points still on offer and potential final points tally.
The importance of Sunday’s trip to West Ham can therefore not be emphasised enough. It is a massive opportunity to put our noses in front and steal a march on rivals.
The implications for our survival prospects of anything other than a win against the Hammers are simply too ghastly to contemplate. Unthinkable.
The last thing we need is to go into the final match of the season knowing that three points may not be enough to keep us in the Premier League and needing favours from other teams.
The Hammers hurdle
This meeting assumes the status of a do-or-die clash. It could be the day we give ourselves a realistic shot at survival on the final day as opposed to a mathematical chance.
Sam Allardyce will be drilling into his players want is at stake. What a massive boost it would be for Leeds United if Big Sam managed to get one over his former club at the second time of asking after falling agonisingly short against Newcastle United last time out.
Hopefully we’ll find West Ham still nursing their Europa Conference League hangover. The quick turnaround following the Hammers’ midweek exertions gives us the advantage of freshness.
Reaching a European competition final for the first time since 1976 is a big deal for any club. The West Ham players will be feted for the feat and no doubt the atmosphere at the London stadium will reflect that on Sunday.
West Ham will go into this clash without any pressure. With Premier League safety confirmed and one eye on the Europa Conference League final, David Moyes’ men could be there for the taking.
If the Hammers stay true to their domestic form this season, which has been in stark contrast to their unbeaten 14-match European campaign, then we could stand to profit.
A win will give Leeds United the best possible chance of survival on the final day of the campaign when all the Premier League dropouts will be confirmed, despite their best efforts.
If the obvious incentive and what will be at stake at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon cannot motivate the players then nothing will.
The big debate – Will Leeds United survive?
Friends, relatives, and neighbours are divided about whether Leeds United will retain their Premier League status . Only the football gods can answer this question.
Big Sam was cited as stating, “There is hope, we need seven points from the last three games”, and the Leeds faithful are behind him.
One thing is certain: even if we are relegated to the English Championship, Leeds United will continue to be followed and adored.
Leeds United, how do I love thee!
