Exclusive: Leeds United tipped for Premier League as Burnley, Sheffield United lurk | OneFootball

The EFL pundit has his say after the league leaders rescue a point against the Hoops, making it just one win in their last four

Former Sunderland man Don Goodman has backed Leeds United to win the Championship title this season, despite their recent hiccups.

The Whites could only muster a 2-2 draw with Queens Park Rangers after finding themselves two goals down to Marti Cifuentes’ side at the weekend, making it just one win from their last four league outings.

Defeat to Portsmouth and another draw against West Bromwich Albion has seen Daniel Farke’s side pick up five points from their last 12 available, leaving Sheffield United level on points at the top of the table, with Scott Parker’s Burnley side a further two points adrift in third.

But Goodman believes the Yorkshire side’s remaining fixtures will give them the edge in the race to achieve a return to the Premier League this season, and can see no side overcoming them in the remaining eight games of the campaign.

Don Goodman backs Leeds United to win Championship title despite recent struggles

Goodman is confident that Leeds will get over their line in their quest to get back to the top flight this season, with the Elland Road outfit answering almost every question posed of them in the league this season.

While Colby Bishop’s goal saw Portsmouth become the first side since November to overcome United in the league earlier this month, a spirited comeback against Rangers last time out proved the Whites haven’t lost their nerve as the race for the top two hots up.

Koki Saito capitalised on Brendan Aaronson’s mistake to put the hosts one goal to the good, while Steve Cook doubled the advantage on the half hour, before a resurgent visiting side fought back to level matters before an hour had been played.

Morgan Fox’s own goal and Jayden Bogle’s leveller earned the point that ultimately kept Leeds at the top of the table as we head into the run-in, and despite a downturn in form, Goodman still believes they have what it takes to get the job done in the next two months.

When asked about whether anything would stop the Whites from achieving their goal this season, the EFL pundit exclusively told FLW: “Personally, I don’t see Leeds United slipping up.

“I think if you had asked me this question a little bit earlier in the season, it could possibly have been their away form, but I look at the games they have got left and six of their eight games are against sides that are 14th and below.

“With the exception of the away defeat at Portsmouth - which they probably didn’t deserve to lose - they haven’t lost a single game to any side in the bottom half of the table.

“So I think everything is in their favour, I think they are far and away the best team in the league still, despite losing to Portsmouth and drawing with Queens Park Rangers.

“They are going to take all the stopping, I give credit to Burnley and Sheffield United for making Leeds United sweat with eight games to go, but I still believe that they will go and win the league.”

Leeds United’s favourable Championship run-in

As Goodman stated, Leeds have some favourable fixtures on paper over the next few weeks, with a visit of Swansea City the next on their schedule once we return from the international break.

While results have picked up under interim boss Alan Sheehan, the Swans have won just five away games all season, and will mark a great opportunity to return to winning ways at the end of the month.

Trips to relegation-threatened Luton Town and an out-of-sorts Middlesbrough side follow, before showdowns against Preston North End, Oxford United, Stoke City and Bristol City.

The Yorkshire side then end their campaign with a trip to Home Park to face the league’s bottom side Plymouth Argyle, where they will be hoping to celebrate promotion back to the Premier League if all goes to plan.

With an average placing of 16.25, Leeds have their destiny very much in their own hands in the coming weeks, and will only have themselves to blame if they don’t get over the line.

Not that Goodman is worried about that, with the ex-Bradford City man confident they can get the job done this season, and take their place back at the top table when the next campaign gets underway.