Daniel Farke worry emerges as Leeds United braced for Championship promotion race twist
Championship action resumes this week after Leeds United and their rivals paused for FA Cup duty.
It was a challenging yet, ultimately, successful third round weekend for the Whites as they defeated Harrogate Town at Elland Road with Largie Ramazani scoring the only goal. Leeds needed 59 minutes to break the deadlock against a plucky opponent from League Two - and another home tie awaits in the fourth round.
Daniel Farke's side will be pitted against Millwall or non-league Dagenham & Redbridge. They meet tonight live on TV for the right to travel to Elland Road in a match that will take place in early-February.
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Before then, it will be back to the main business for Leeds as they continue to target a return to the big time.
However, even though they are sitting pretty at the summit, right now, by the the time Farke's squad next lace up their boots they could be out of the automatic promotion spots. As things stand, they top the Championship table on 53 points from 26 games played.
Burnley, Sheffield United (both 52 points) and Sunderland (50 points) are second, third and fourth respectively.
With scattered fixtures to come in midweek and this weekend, though, Leeds could fall into third place before a mouth-watering Yorkshire derby against Sheffield Wednesday at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon (12pm / noon). Indeed, their main promotion rivals are in action before then.
Burnley welcome Sunderland to Turf Moor on Friday night, while Sheffield United take on Norwich City - at home - on Saturday afternoon. Following those games, Burnley, Sunderland and (begrudgingly) Sheffield United might well be praying for a Sheffield Wednesday victory over the current leaders.
Leeds, by contrast, will know exactly what result they need to return to the top, if their lead is actually taken away from them before their impending Championship showdown.
