Leeds United’s potential promotion could give Boro the opportunity to wrap up a summer transfer deal.
The Championship promotion race is a fascinating one at the moment.
Following Norwich City’s win yesterday, the top six may stay as it is, although a late twist cannot be ruled out with the Canaries yet to mathematically seal their place in the play-offs.
What’s more fascinating is the fact Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Leeds United are all faltering in the automatic promotion race, with the trio’s poor form potentially allowing Southampton to creep back into the mix.
Russell Martin’s side have a couple of games in hand over some of their rivals, but they may need to be faultless between now and the end of the campaign if they want to secure a top-two spot, even with other teams’ wobbles in mind.
Leeds United in the automatic promotion race
Following Leicester’s defeat on Friday night, Leeds had a great chance to capitalise and destabilise Ipswich ahead of the Tractor Boys’ game.
Facing a struggling Blackburn Rovers side at Elland Road, this looked like a straightforward win for the Whites, despite their draw against Sunderland in midweek.
The West Yorkshire side had plenty of chances against John Eustace’s men, but couldn’t convert them and Sammie Szmodics’ goal was the difference in the end.
This was a further setback for Leeds in the automatic promotion race, although they aren’t out of it yet with other teams faltering.
| Championship automatic promotion race | ||||
| (As of April 14th, 2024) | P | GD | Pts | |
| 1 | Ipswich Town | 43 | 32 | 89 |
| 2 | Leicester City | 42 | 41 | 88 |
| 3 | Leeds United | 43 | 42 | 87 |
| 4 | Southampton | 41 | 27 | 81 |
Facing Middlesbrough and Queens Park Rangers away from home before they return to Elland Road to take on Southampton, Daniel Farke’s side have a tough three games coming up, but they could still secure a top-two finish.
Middlesbrough could be keen to see Leeds United win promotion after Charlie Cresswell links
If Leeds are promoted at the end of the campaign, that will give manager Farke more money to play with.
That means he could make substantial changes in defence and potentially bring targets like Joe Rodon and Koni De Winter to Elland Road permanently.
If one or two central defenders join permanently and Ethan Ampadu is able to continue playing as a centre-back, that could allow Liam Cooper and Charlie Cresswell to find other clubs.
Cresswell has made just eight competitive appearances this term, with two of those coming in the EFL Cup and some of his Championship appearances coming in the form of short cameos.
Considering he’s 21 and has plenty of potential, he hasn’t won anywhere near enough game time this term, so a move away from Elland Road would benefit him.
Middlesbrough, who were linked with a move for the defender earlier this year, could have the chance to bring him in either on loan or permanently.
Boro could certainly benefit from bringing in Cresswell to strengthen their defence, especially if the in-demand Rav van den Berg leaves in the summer.
The Leeds man is another promising young defender with plenty of potential, so he could be a good fit at the Riverside and an excellent replacement for van den Berg.
But he may only be available if Leeds win promotion.
Michael Carrick’s side will give it everything they have against the Whites next Monday, but if the Teesside outfit are still keen to sign Cresswell, they may be cheering Farke’s side on after that.
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