The Championship to Premier League gulf is becoming harder to bridge - but Leeds United are financially capable of competing at the highest level.

That is the view of former Whites defender Danny Mills, who has backed Daniel Farke to lead the club to promotion this season.

United enter Saturday's clash with Cardiff City in high spirits following an 11-match unbeaten run. Farke's men sit top of the table, three points clear of third-placed Burnley after 29 matches.

READ MORE: Leeds United predicted XI vs Cardiff as Junior Firpo included and Pascal Struijk call made

READ MORE: Leeds United set to join exclusive Championship group amid transfer agreement

Mills told 0bet: "Leeds would be a great addition to the Premier League. They're one of the teams that could probably compete, make that step up financially because of the backing that they've got.

"When you look at other teams, the gap between the Championship and the Premier League is growing all the time. Leeds could be one of those teams that were able to bridge that gap, but they've got to earn it.

"Sheffield United, Burnley, maybe even Sunderland are going to have a big say in that and so we have to wait and see, but the expectation from Leeds fans and I think the club, is that they get back in the Premier League."

Despite amassing 90 points last term, United were pipped to automatic promotion by Leicester City and Ipswich Town. They missed out on an immediate Premier League return after losing to Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley.

Ex-England international Mills says Farke must lead them back to the promised land to keep his job. "Yeah, it is promotion or bust for Farke," he said. "The expectation is absolutely huge. They came so close last year, and they buckled under the pressure.

"They couldn't get over the line last season, dipped into the playoffs. And we all know that the playoffs are notoriously difficult, especially when you've been up there. The disappointment of not getting that automatic spot is very, very hard.

"My only concern for Leeds is their game management hasn't been the greatest at times. Sometimes when they're 2-1 up, with 5-10 minutes to go, they're still desperately trying to score that third and leave themselves a little bit open. Just kill the game off. Just win the game. People still have this myth that football is about entertainment. It's not. Professional sport is about winning.

"You ask any top sportsman, do they go out there to entertain? Or do they go out there to win? Did Jack Nicklaus go out there to entertain? No. Did Tiger Woods go out to entertain? No. Did Michael Jordan go out to entertain? No.

"People go out to win. Then, if you can entertain, that's a bonus. Once you're winning, once you're three-nil up, do some keep uppies, a few flicks and tricks, that's not a problem. Pass the ball around and get the crowd going with oles.

"First and foremost, professional sport at any level, whatever sport it is, is about winning. That's what the players have to keep focusing on. Just go out there and win."