Leeds United looked certain to secure a Sky Bet Championship play off spot just a few weeks ago.

Now however, everything has changed.

The West Yorkshire side lie three points behind sixth placed Fulham with only two games to play, after picking up four points from their last five fixtures.

Garry Monk’s side have it all to do if they are to sneak past the Cottagers.

Not only are The Whites three points off the pace, but their goal difference is vastly inferior to their play-off rivals.

For Leeds to sneak into the play-offs, they would not only need to gain results in their next two fixtures, but also hope that the west London side slip up twice.

One Fulham win would surely be enough to consolidate their position.

Despite all this, all is not lost.

Football is a wonderful game, and the Championship has proven extremely unpredictable this season.

Here are TWO key reasons why Leeds may still break into the top six.....

No one is secured a spot

From Reading in 3rd on 79 points down to Leeds in 7th on 73, not one side is secured a Championship play-off spot this season (besides Newcastle, who are all but assured of an automatic spot).

There is no doubt about it, Leeds must win their remaining two fixtures at home to Norwich and away at Wigan Athletic.

Norwich have had a decent end to the season, and Wigan may still be fighting for their survival when Leeds visit on the final day of the season.

If Leeds were to win their remaining two fixtures, and any of the teams competing for the play offs above them were to lose both of theirs, Leeds United will make the top 6.

One more win for Reading, Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town will secure a top 6 finish for each of these teams.

Fulham, who Leeds are most likely to overtake, face a very difficult end to the campaign. On Saturday they welcome free scoring rivals Brentford to Craven Cottage, and the Bees will be out for blood in their attempt to derail their fierce rivals’ promotion bid. A final day trip to Sheffield Wednesday could still prove to have playoff implications for the Yorkshire side.

Leeds United’s remaining fixtures are certainly winnable, and Monk’s men will have to hope for a favour over the next couple of weeks.

The unpredictability of the league

In the Premier League, the phrase ‘anybody can beat anybody in this league’ is a cliche bounded around by pundits on a regular basis, and the same can be said about the Championship.

England’s second division is just as unpredictable as the top flight, and on their day, anybody can certainly defeat anybody.

This weekend alone, Reading fell to relegation candidates, Nottingham Forest, and Leeds succumbed to Burton Albion, who themselves are not mathematically safe from the drop. Both teams were expected to pick up results on the day, and both failed to live up to expectations.

In Friday’s fixture, leaders Brighton threw away a chance to wrap up the title at mid table Norwich.

Anything can happen on the day of a football match, and one goal, or one key refereeing decision may turn the tide of the playoff race.

The Championship is an unpredictable melting pot, and football in general throws up a host of surprises.

All of those associated with Leeds United Football Club must retain their faith, as this race is far from over.