3 reasons Leeds United will beat rivals to promotion… and 3 they won’t

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Leeds United are on course for a top-six finish, alongside Sheffield Wednesday, Reading and Huddersfield Town.

Leeds United players celebrate

Leeds United are on course for a top-six finish, alongside Sheffield Wednesday, Reading and Huddersfield Town, but can the Whites go all the way this year?

Here’s three reasons they will…

1. Form

Leeds may have started slow, losing four of their first six matches, but are third in the form table since then, with only Brighton (60 points) and Newcastle (57) securing more points than Monk’s men (54), with Sheffield Wednesday next (50). A win against the Owls this weekend would be a massive confidence boost after the Whites’ recent dip in form.

2. Chris Wood

Only Newcastle’s Dwight Gayle (20) has scored more league goals than Wood (19) this season, while none of Leeds’ current play-off rivals have anyone on more than 12 (Wednesday’s Sam Winnall). And with many of the New Zealander’s strikes coming on the big stage (he’s scored against Wednesday, Reading and Huddersfield already this term), the Whites will fancy their chances against anyone with him in the side.

3. Spirit

Leeds’ superb campaign has caught almost everyone off guard, which has only added to the excitement. At long last, Whites supporters have a team to be proud of, while personalities like Pontus Jansson have helped to restore the bond between players and fans. The latter’s vociferous backing (particularly at home) has been worth a few extra points already and could yet carry the team over the line.

And three they won’t

1. Is it too soon?

Though Leeds have come a long way under Monk, his young side is perhaps still a work in progress, with the likes of Ronaldo Vieira, Kalvin Phillips and Kemar Roofe still establishing themselves at Championship level. And while the fearlessness of youth could work in the Whites’ favour, only Rob Green, Eunan O’Kane and Wood have ever been promoted to the Premier League before and said lack of experience could hold Leeds back.

2. The wobble

Leeds have failed to win three of their last four Championship fixtures – a minor blip, according to most. Others might suggest, though, that teams have begun raising their game against the Whites, or, worse still, that Monk’s side have been sussed out entirely. Only time will tell if those people are right.

3. What if something happens to…

Leeds United’s Chris Wood celebrates

Though this winter may have been a productive one, with Mo Barrow and Alfonso Pedraza adding energy to Leeds’ ranks, the Whites’ failure to back up Wood with another proven goalscorer could leave them vulnerable later down the line. Marcus Antonsson has struggled for goals in English football, while Souleymane Doukara is certainly not prolific. Huddersfield, Reading and Wednesday, in particular, are much healthier up top.

Who will be promoted from this season’s Championship – Wednesday, Leeds, Reading, Huddersfield, or other?