The international break is over, and now it’s crunch time for Leeds United. Daniel Farke’s men have just eight games left to decide their fate. Will they be celebrating Premier League promotion, or will they have to face another season in the Championship?
Recent form has put Leeds in a tight spot. Just one win in their last four games has seen them lose their lead at the top. A few weeks ago, they were five points ahead of Sheffield United. Now, they sit level with The Blades and only two points ahead of Burnley.
A win over Millwall before the break gave Leeds some relief, but a 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth cost them their advantage. With Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder calling the promotion race a “titanic battle,” and Burnley’s Connor Roberts telling fans to “buckle up,” the pressure is rising.
This Saturday, Leeds take on Swansea City at Elland Road. It’s a must-win game, and there’s an extra twist, former Swansea players Joel Piroe, Dan James, and Joe Rodon will be facing their old club.
Swansea Shake Things Up with New Boss
Just three days before the big game, Swansea City made a big call. The struggling side has announced that Alan Sheehan will stay on as interim manager until the end of the season. The 38-year-old coach stepped in after the sacking of Luke Williams, who was in charge when Swansea lost 4-3 to Leeds back in November.
So far, Sheehan has managed five games, picking up two wins against Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough. But things haven’t been easy, his team have lost their last two matches. Now, he faces a huge test at Elland Road against a Leeds side desperate to get back to winning ways.
One worry for Swansea is the fitness of defender Harry Darling. The center-back, who scored against Leeds in that 4-3 thriller earlier in the season, is a doubt for Saturday’s game. Sheehan admitted before the break that Darling’s fitness is “touch and go.” If he’s out, it’ll be a big blow for Swansea’s defence.
Sheehan’s Leeds United Past: A Struggle to Impress
Leeds fans will remember Sheehan, but not for the right reasons. The former left-back joined the club on loan from Leicester City in January 2008 before making the move permanent that summer. But he never really made an impact at Elland Road.
In total, Sheehan played just 24 times for Leeds and spent more time out on loan than he did on the pitch. While players like Ian Harte and Charlie Taylor became key names at left-back for Leeds, Sheehan never hit those heights.
Now, he returns to Elland Road, not as a player but as a manager. It’s a massive opportunity for him, but Leeds will be hoping to make sure his return is one to forget.
With the race for promotion heating up, Farke and his men know they cannot afford any slip-ups. A win against Swansea could put them back on track, but they’ll need to be at their best to take all three points.
Saturday’s game is set to be a thriller, and Leeds fans will be hoping their team can rise to the challenge.
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