Leeds still has tasks to complete to ensure their Premier League status for another season. Following a decisive victory over Burnley on Friday, the team stands nine points and four places above the 18th-placed Tottenham, currently in the relegation zone.
Notably, four teams directly below Leeds—Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, West Ham, and Spurs—each have a game in hand over Daniel Farke’s squad.
However, Spurs, who will face Aston Villa on Sunday, can only reach a maximum of 46 points.
Leeds could mathematically clinch their position in the top division for next season with a win over Tottenham—the previous season’s Europa League winners—on May 11.
The encouraging news for Leeds is that historically, no team has been relegated from the Premier League after finishing a season with 43 points or more. Additionally, the average point total for the 18th-placed team stands at 34.5, meaning that 35 points are typically sufficient to avoid relegation.
However, in the previous five years, this average has fallen to 29.6 points.
“This is massive for Leeds,” commented former Whites midfielder Stuart Dallas on Sky Sports. “When the goals were coming, I could see [Farke’s] reaction on the sideline; it was evident how much this means to him and the team.
“In hindsight, it may appear there was never any doubt, but there’s always that underlying anxiety.”
[BBC]