Leeds Return?

Leeds have had nothing short of a remarkable season, starting 15 points down after dropping into administration, they produced an excellent early season run to climb up into the top half of the table even with the points deficit. Dennis Wise departed to Newcastle, though, and things began to look a little bit less rosy.

The arrival of Gary McAllister has helped steady Leeds into a playoff berth, but they go into the second leg against Carlisle a goal down from the first leg. Supported by around 40,000 fans at Elland Road, Leeds battled until beyond the last minute and secured a 95th minute goal that keeps them in the tie going into the second leg in Carlisle.

Leeds, surely, are too big a club to stay down for long. Their finances are probably not as secure as they should be but they have by far the biggest and highest quality stadium in the division, and attract a weekly attendance far greater than anything else around them. The fan base is not going to leave in a hurry, providing Leeds don’t spend too long languishing in the first division.

Carlisle themselves aren’t in particularly good form, and their victory at Elland Road will raise a few eyebrows. Whether they can produce another performance against a Leeds team that will be throwing absolutely everything they have at them is another matter.

Unfortunately, one suspects that, should Leeds not manage to pull themselves out of the division there will be even more rancour around the question of their points deduction. The understanding was that at the beginning of the season Leeds would take their deduction in return for their ‘Golden Share’, the allowance to be part of the Football League, and also providing that they didn’t complain. Leeds accepted these terms, but now have complained, and though their appeal was dropped, the matter will no doubt raise its ugly head should Leeds fail to dispose of Carlisle.

Leeds will not be a League One side for long, but whether this is the season that they make their way out is anyone’s guess. According to Blue Square they are at 3/1, and third favourites to go up, if you’re interested in football betting though, Leeds might be worth a punt, they’re overcome greater obstacles in this season and recent years than a goal deficit to Carlisle.

Sports Betting odds courtesy of Blue Square.