Leeds United news: Championship history suggests Elland Road club are on course for promotion

Leeds United news: Championship history suggests Elland Road club are on course for promotion
It has been a season of joy so far for Leeds United.Marcelo Bielsa’s appointment as manager throughout the summer brought true optimism to Elland Road, with the Whites backed to finally return to the Premier League.2

Leeds have won 11 matches so far this season, losing just three

And four months into the season, Leeds are living up to expectations.They sit second in the Championship table, just one point behind leaders Norwich and with the best goal difference in the entire division.A tricky festive period sees Leeds play five matches before the end of the year, before they they visit fellow promotion contenders Nottingham Forest on New Year’s Day.Claiming maximum points over the Christmas period would set them up perfectly for the second half of the season.Promotion was the expectation and, given the club’s excellent campaign so far, it has become the goal, and history suggests returning to the top flight is back on the cards. If Leeds continue to pick up points at the rate they have been over the opening 20 matches of the season (1.95 points per game), they will end the season on 90 points (rounded up from 89.7).Historically, such a points total guarantees promotion to the Premier League, as it is higher than the 87 points that is the average to finish second in the Championship.Winning the league may be beyond the Elland Road club, with 94 points the average to be crowned champions, but that second automatic promotion spot is well within Leeds’ grasp.2

Could Marcelo Bielsa guide Leeds into the Premier League for the first time since 2004

Furthermore, Leeds’ projected total of 90 points has only ever been reached by one club previously who failed to win automatic promotion; Sunderland won 90 points in 1997/98, but were forced into the play-offs as Nottingham Forest (94 points) and Middlesbrough (91 points) finished first and second respectively.Norwich will finish as champions if they continue to pick up 2ppg for the rest of the campaign, though this keeps them slightly below the average first-place total of 94 points.If the Canaries wish to break the Championship points record – set by Reading in 2005/06 with 106 points – they would need to pick up 67 points in their remaining 26 matches, which equates to just under 2.6 ppg.

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Adam Smith is set to be out for three months after Bournemouth discovered his knee injury was less severe than first feared. The versatile defender went down holding his right knee after feigning to take a free-kick against Newcastle United earlier this month in a bizarre incident, with Smith subsequently stretchered from the pitch following a lengthy stoppage.
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Glen Johnson admits that he enjoys playing for Brendan Rodgers much more than under his former boss atChelsea, Jose Mourinho. Reds defender Johnson lost respect for Mourinho at Chelsea
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London-born Rice caused controversy recently when he opted to play for England despite having previously represented the Republic. McClean played under-21 football for Northern Ireland, but went on to represent the Republic at senior level, where he played alongside Rice until the West Ham midfielder switched countries.
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Everton midfielder Tim Cahill insists he has no plans to return to his native Australia until he has played in the Champions League with David Moyes' side. A number of Socceroos stars have
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Chelsea confirmed their interest in England striker Callum Wilson, but Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe says the club has had no offers. Bournemouth have not received any offers for England
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ED WOODWARD has revealed Manchester United will not announce their new manager before the end of the campaign. The executive vice-chairman has insisted that the "top people in football" are keen to take the reigns at Old Trafford after Jose Mo
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This also proved one crucial thing for Poch and Daniel Levy, a tight knit developed squad of quality players can be better than a team of big money signings. Chelsea were well beaten by a Spurs side with Wanyama, Dembele, Trippier, and Sanchez out injured, and Lamela, Moura, Vertonghen, and Winks only on the bench.
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Chelsea and Tottenham stars tipped to replace Asensio and Isco at Real Madrid REAL MADRID have been tipped to offload Isco and Marco Asensio to free up space for Premier League stars Eden Hazard
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Sheffield United moved up to second, ahead of Leeds on goal difference. of Cedric Kipre and going ahead through Patrick Bamford three Championship roundup: Leeds stunned as Bolton
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Juan Mata has decision to make over return to Spain Brighton enter race to sign Man Utd midfielder on free transfer. Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has been offered a deal by Brighton
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Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are monitoring Borussia Monchengladbach defender Matthias Ginter. Sky Sports has claimed that the North London duo are scouting for new centre-backs ahead of the summer transfer window and the 25-year-old is amongst their targets.
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Southampton transfer news: Saints joined by Watford in race to sign former Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen The Belgium international is expected to leave Barcelona in the coming months By talkSPORT
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