Leeds United are hoping it will be second time lucky as they aim to earn promotion back to the Premier League at the end of the Championship season.

The Whites suffered heartbreak in the play-offs last year, falling to defeat against Southampton at Wembley after missing out on the two automatic promotion spots. But Daniel Farke's squad are leading the race this time around.

It may not stop a familiar feeling that a promotion race brings, though. It's getting to the time of the season where fixtures are constantly checked and rivals' matches watched.

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With Leeds leading the way, they are being chased by three other sides - neighbours Sheffield United, Burnley and Sunderland. Two teams will have to settle for the play-offs at the end of the season, while the other two celebrate automatic promotion.

Looking ahead, there are some key games that could, potentially, have a big say in who the teams celebrating are. Here's a look at just some of them between now and the end of the season.

Leeds United vs Sunderland (Monday, February 17, 8pm kick-off)

It's the first of two big games on the horizon for Leeds over the next few weeks. Sunderland are currently in fourth place in the table, seven point behind Leeds.

Presuming the gap stays the same following their game before this fixture, then it gives the Whites the chance to open up the gap to 10 points with victory. However, should the result go the other way, the Black Cats will reduce the gap to just four points, with the promotion race bunching up again.

Sheffield United vs Leeds United (Monday, February 24, 8pm kick-off)

Just a week after the Sunderland game, the clash against Sheffield United is arguably even bigger. The Blades are currently in second place behind Leeds in the table with just two points separating the two sides.

A win for Leeds may not only come as a big promotion boost, but also a big step in claiming the Championship title. However, a loss could see them fall behind their rivals in the table.

Sheffield Wednesday vs Sheffield United (Sunday, March 16, 12.30pm kick-off)

What's more of a leveller than a local derby? And the one between Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United is one of the fiercest in the country. While the Owls sit in 11th place in the table - and United flying high in second - Wednesday will be keen to knock their rivals off their perch.

It's a game Leeds fans will also be watching with a lot of interest.

Burnley vs Sheffield United (Monday, April 21, 3pm kick-off)

Entering late April is when we get to the proper business end of the season. The closing weeks doesn't see the four teams vying for automatic promotion meet each other very often, placing more importance on matches when they do.

By the time the game comes around, the picture in the race could look different. But there is currently just three points separating Burnley in third place and Sheffield United in second, with the Clarets also having a better goal difference than their rivals.

Final day fixtures (Saturday, May 3, 3pm kick-off):

Sheffield United vs Blackburn Rovers

Plymouth Argyle vs Leeds United

Burnley vs Millwall

Sunderland vs QPR

Leeds will be hoping that their promotion, and even the title race, will be done and dusted by time the final game of the season comes around in early May, but if not the Whites may well be at a slight disadvantage. Of the teams racing for automatic promotion, Leeds are the only side not to play at home.

They face the long trek to face Plymouth Argyle at Home Park, while Sheffield United, Burnley and Sunderland will all have home comforts.