Yahoo News Leeds United have major advantage on Ipswich Town on race for Premier League promotion
Leeds United could lean on their superior goal difference to achieve automatic promotion to the Premier League this season.
Daniel Farke's side currently occupy second place in the Championship, despite suffering a shock 4-0 defeat to 17th-place Queens Park Rangers on Friday night.
The Whites are being closely followed by Ipswich Town in third, with Kieran McKenna's side also dropping points against playoff contenders Hull City. The game finished 3-3 at the MKM Stadium on Saturday evening with the Tractor Boys taking the lead on three different occasions before failing to secure the win.
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Both teams sit on 90 points in the race to secure the final automatic promotion spot, after Leicester City propelled themselves back to the top flight of English football without kicking a ball. The only thing separating the two sides? Goal difference. After scoring 81 goals and conceding 41 across the 45 games played so far this season, Leeds' goal difference currently stands at 39.
Meanwhile, Ipswich have been more prolific in front of goal with 88 scored but more susceptible at the back, having conceded 56 in their 44 outings. Leaving them with a goal difference of 32.
McKenna's side hold a game in hand on Leeds currently but even taking this into account, Ipswich face an uphill battle to close the nine-goal gap between the two figures. Meaning if both sides finish level on points come the end of the season, Leeds would return to the dizzy heights of the Premier League based on goal difference.
A final test of the season against Southampton now awaits for Leeds. Russell Martin's side currently sit in fourth place and may look to rest players ahead of the play-offs - given they are unable to catch Ipswich in third and hold an 11-point advantage on Norwich City in fifth.
Coventry City and relegation battlers Huddersfield Town mark the final two games of the season for McKenna's men - with the race for second place coming down to the final day of the season this time round.
In the event that teams also finish level on goal difference, goals scored would then be considered - which would likely see Ipswich promoted. If this figure is also the same, the head-to-head record then comes into account. Leeds won both meetings between the two teams this season, with a 4-0 win at Elland Road in December and a dramatic 4-3 win away from home in August.
