Leeds United and Burnley secured their places in next season’s Premier League with wins on Monday which clinched the two automatic promotion spots.
Championship table-toppers Leeds (1.28) did their part to move to the brink of Premier League promotion with a 6-0 win over Stoke City. Joël Piroe scored four goals, while more came from Junior Firpo and Wilfried Gnonto.
Second-placed Burnley (3.48) then needed to secure at least a point against third-placed Sheffield United in order to secure Leeds’ place in the Premier League. The Clarets went a step further and beat the Blades 2-1, which meant that they joined Leeds in securing automatic promotion. Josh Brownhill scored a brace either side of a Thomas Cannon goal.
Championship Still on the Line
With two games to go, the EFL Championship title is still up for grabs. Leeds will face fifth-placed Bristol City at home and then travel to Plymouth Argyle, who are bottom of the table. Burnley will visit 15th-placed Queens Park Rangers before hosting another London side, eighth-placed Millwall.
Both teams are level on 94 points at the top of the table. Leeds currently lead the Championship on account of their superior goal difference of 60 compared to Burnley’s 46.
Playoff Spots at Stake
The defeat to Burnley means that Sheffield United are guaranteed third place and will feature in the playoffs. The teams third to sixth will compete in a knockout tournament with two-legged semi-finals preceding a final at Wembley, which will decide the final team to go through to the Premier League.
Sunderland is also assured of a spot in the playoffs, having secured fourth place. Bristol City and Coventry City are currently on course to secure the two remaining spots, but Middlesbrough, Millwall and Blackburn Rovers all have realistic chances of challenging them.
The playoff final is known as the most valuable single soccer match in the world, as promotion is worth at least an initial £85 million in the first season, and another £80 million could follow if relegation is avoided at the first attempt.
Nevertheless, there is no doubt that Leeds and Burnley will be delighted to already have promotion in the bag rather than having to go the playoff route.
Lyle Foster: South African Connection
Burnley’s ascent back to the Premier League means that South Africa’s Lyle Foster is set to feature in the top flight again, assuming he remains with the club.
Foster has two goals and five assists in 27 Championship appearances for the Clarets this season. He had an impressive Premier League season in 2023-24 with five goals and three assists. However, the then-head coach Vincent Kompany was without him at times due to his mental health challenges.
Foster has suffered injury this season but made a noteworthy contribution to Scott Parker’s men and their Championship bid.
Leeds United are another club which South African fans will be excited to see back in the Premier League. They have a past connection with the country through their legendary ex-captain, Lucas Radebe.
Conclusion: Learning from Past Premier League Mistakes
Burnley were in the Premier League last season and were relegated. Leeds were last in the top flight in 2022-23. Both clubs have yo-yoed up and down England’s top two divisions.
Clarets boss Parker secured promotion to the Premier League with a third different club. He had previously led Fulham and Bournemouth up to the top flight.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke is also no stranger to the Premier League after his previous stint at Norwich City. The challenge for Farke and Parker is to turn their sides into stable Premier League clubs. If they do, soccer betting enthusiasts can get behind two exciting teams.
