Leeds United, Norwich City, Southampton and West Bromwich Albion will contest the 2023/24 Championship play-offs.
The Whites were made to settle for a place in the top six after they were unable to pull off the miracle they needed to claim that last automatic promotion spot ahead of Ipswich Town.
Leeds needed to beat Southampton at Elland Road while simultaneously hoping already relegated Huddersfield Town could win at Portman Road, which, of course, did not happen.
All focus for Leeds now must switch towards getting themselves back up for a potentially gruelling play-off campaign, in what is effectively a second chance at promotion.
Martin O’Neill believes Daniel Farke has a big job on his hands in getting Leeds back on track, but this is where his previous promotion experience needs to come into play.
Leeds must do something no other Championship club has ever done to be promoted
After another defeat at the weekend – against a Southampton side they could actually meet in the final – it would be fair to say Leeds fans aren’t overly confident going into the play-offs.
Heading into the international break, Leeds had been well on course for a top two finish as they sat top of the table after 12 wins in 13 matches following the turn of the New Year.
However, a run of just eight points in as many games to end the season saw their hopes evaporate, a period which also included four defeats in their last six.
And as per research from LUFC Data, no side in Championship history – since the league became a 46-game season – has ever won the play-offs by ending the season in such form.
With that in mind, Farke simply has to find a way at Thorp Arch this week of raising his side’s belief and confidence again, if they are to achieve promotion.
All four sides in poor form ahead of Championship play-offs
Though Leeds clearly are in their worst run of form across the entire season heading into the play-offs, they are not the only side struggling.
Prior to their win at Elland Road, Southampton had actually lost three consecutive matches. West Brom had done the same until a 3-0 final day victory over Preston North End.
Leeds’ opponents Norwich, meanwhile, finished the campaign winless in their last three, of which included a final day defeat at Birmingham City.
The winners of this season’s play-offs may well be the side who can rediscover their best the quickest.
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