MIND GAMES
LEEDS BOSS INSISTS CITY ARE STILL FAVOURITES TO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP
LEICESTER City may have lost their grip on top spot but they remain favourites to win the Championship title, insists Leeds boss Daniel Farke.
After a six-month run at the top of the standings, City dropped to second before the international break, writes Jordan Blackwell.
With Enzo Maresca’s side in FA Cup action, Leeds took advantage, beating Millwall and jumping into first place on goal difference.
For so long, City have been the side to chase down. Now that’s Leeds.
But they have momentum on their side, having taken 37 points from their last available 39.
However, Farke has rejected the suggestion that his side are favourites, simply because City have one extra game to play.
This Easter weekend, City will set the challenge for Leeds to respond to.
Maresca’s men take on Bristol City in the lunchtime kick-off (12.30pm) on Good Friday, with Leeds at Watford in an 8pm start.
The times are the same on Easter Monday, when City host Norwich and Leeds welcome Hull to
Elland Road. Asked if his team are now favourites for the title, Farke said: “No, because Leicester have a game in hand and I expect them to win points in the game in hand.
“Then they have the best possible options. That’s just a fact and just the reality.
“For this weekend, the games before are not important. There are six points to play for.
“For Watford we have one training session with the (full) team. Then we have one training session before the game against Hull.
“It’s tricky, and for that, we don’t have to speak about the table right now, and which is the red-hot form team.
“It’s more about concentrating on finding the way to be competitive again for these two games.”
Ipswich are in the conversation too, having won 21 points from their last possible 24.
If City slip up, they can knock Maresca’s men out of the top two for the first time since the fifth weekend of the season.
The Tractor Boys are at Blackburn Rovers on Friday and at home to Southampton in a huge game on Monday.