The EFL are looking at resuming the season in June, which could present Leeds United with a chance to secure promotion back to the Premier League.
Leeds are sitting top of the Championship table with nine games of the season remaining, but the outbreak of Covid-19 has stopped the Whites in their tracks, with the season postponed.
Now, the Yorkshire Evening Post have revealed the EFL’s proposal, which would see the remaining league fixtures and play-off campaign completed in just 56 days.
The games would be played behind closed doors, with the EFL also instructing clubs not to return to training until May 16th.
With this positive update in mind, we look at the knock-on effects this could have on Leeds United…
A boost in lockdown morale
So much is being said at the moment about finishing the season, with some people wanting to see the campaign null and void as public health takes priority.
For Leeds, that’s the worst case scenario, with Marcelo Bielsa’s side on the bring of something special.
The squad are in lockdown, and these contrasting reports will leave them wondering if they will get their chance to have a shot at the Premier League.
Yet, this proposal should lift spirits and give them something to work towards.
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Dip in home form
One concern Leeds will have about this proposal is the fact that games will have to be played behind closed doors.
When you watch Bielsa’s side at Elland Road, they feed off the atmosphere created, with teams often crumbling under the sheer noise in West Yorkshire.
Fulham, Luton Town, Stoke City, Barnsley and Charlton Athletic have all got to visit Elland Road in the remaining nine games, and they will feel at ease arriving with no hostility.
It takes away a part of Leeds’ edge at Elland Road, which might lead in home form dipping.
No excuse of Bielsa burnout
By the time the season could kick-off again in June, Leeds will have had over two months resting up between fixtures.
That’s basically the length of pre-season and given how Leeds have started the last two seasons under Bielsa, it’s hugely positive.
There will be no case of Bielsa burnout, with Leeds’ players fresh in body to hit the ground running and finish the job they’ve started.
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